From the desk of Father John

The Lord be with you!

Every pastor uses his bulletin article in different ways. Some use this space to talk about the events of the parish while others reflect on the Sunday readings. I even know a few priests who bring up the saints, especially those who have feast days during the week.

I have always used these articles to teach. Serendipitously, a few months before leaving Garfield, I finished an eight year series of articles giving commentary on the Baltimore Catechism. Before I launch into giving comments on the current catechism, I want to give a few articles on general theology concepts. This week we start with the concept of liturgy and how to think about praying as a community.

"Leitos orgia" is the original Greek of our word liturgy, and it means "work of the people." Examples of such people's work include military service, taxes, and the upkeep of temples and shrines. Liturgy for the ancients was really work that the entire community needed to engage in for it to be a success. Every person contributed as he was able to a work that no one person could do alone.

For us Catholics liturgy refers primarily to the public worship of the Church and not to just any corporate work. "Worship" and "liturgy" are almost synonyms for us in that both denote giving God the sacrifice He deserves. Really, it is the Sacrifice of Christ that is the root of all liturgy in the Church, but that would deserve an entire article.

What does this concept of liturgy mean for us in Brooklyn? First, by understanding that Mass is a communal work, we remember that we cannot do it alone. Even the priest is part of a greater whole. In fact, we state that the priest acts as Christ the Head (Christus capitis) in celebrating the sacraments to remind us that the Church is the Body of Christ. Second, by seeing the Mass as a work beyond any one person, we see how important it is for everyone to give as much as possible. And what does God want from us? Only the entirety of our hearts, all our minds, and every ounce of strength. So everything. Third, from this last point we can know that the external trappings of Mass - the singing and readings - are helps for a far more important but hidden reality: a true communion of life and love.

As I said in my weekend homily, the celebration of Mass is the most important act we do as a parish because it is the source of grace we need to announce the Good News. If we come to this Divine Liturgy ready to give our hearts, God will pour out His Love upon us, and through us, upon the world. May our desire for that Communion grower ever stronger.

In His Sacred Heart,
Fr. John