1070. In the New Testament the word “liturgy” refers not only to the celebration of divine worship but also to the proclamation of the Gospel and to active charity.6 In all of these situations it is a question of the service of God and neighbor. In a liturgical celebration the Church is servant in the image of her Lord, the one “leitourgos”;7 she shares in Christ’s priesthood (worship), which is both prophetic (proclamation) and kingly (service of charity):
The liturgy then is rightly seen as an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ. It involves the presentation of man’s sanctification under the guise of signs perceptible by the senses and its accomplishment in ways appropriate to each of these signs. In it full public worship is performed by the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, that is, by the Head and his members. From this it follows that every liturgical celebration, because it is an action of Christ the priest and of his Body which is the Church, is a sacred action surpassing all others. No other action of the Church can equal its efficacy by the same title and to the same degree.8
Aprofunde seus conhecimentos
548. How did the first Christian community in Jerusalem pray?
188. What is the vocation of the lay faithful?
185. When is the infallibility of the Magisterium exercised?
328. What is the effect of ordination to the priesthood?
249. Is everything immutable in the liturgy?
176. What is apostolic succession?
Acesse nossos estudos biblicos:
What do the horseman, angel, and Lord symbolize in Zechariah’s vision described in Zechariah 1:8-17?
What does the book of Hosea teach us about God’s unwavering love for his people?
What does 1 John 2:29 teach us about God’s holiness and justice?
What is the importance of holiness in our Christian life according to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20?
What does it mean to submit to God’s discipline, according to Hebrews 12:5-11?
The Beatitudes: Understanding Their Meaning and Importance (Matthew 5:3-11)
What is the story of Abimelech and forgiveness in Judges 9:22-57?
