The Historical Functions and Goals of the Liturgy

Cited from Dr. Stephen Sauer, SJ. Theology: Practice and Theology (LMU, 2007)

Theology has a SociologyThe “function and goal” of liturgical

activity change as a Christian community’s notions of God, world, self, and liturgy change.

Liturgy as “embodied or enacted theology”

The Early (Nascent) Church Jesus perceived as “anti-ritual” or

anti-establishment Note: meals for Jews are ritual, every

meal is liturgical. Even the whole life is ritual

Kingdom of Heaven is Jesus

God’s Reign, here and now Jesus IS alive and present Secular and Sacred no longer

separated Sacrifice no longer necessary Everyone is now equal, the old order

is subverted (table fellowship) The end is near

Radical “secularism”

True worship = service of God and neighbor

Liturgy = work of the people Cultic vocabulary is avoided

Worship and Prayer

Rituals Attempt to express and celebrate the radical newness of the explosion of the sacred

Met in homes, within context of meals

Informal worship

Dura Eropas = name of town

Dura Europos House

Syria, 3rd Century

Function and Goal

g/f of ritual = g/f of liturgy = g/f of life and death of Jesus

Live out the new life and relationship with God, others and world as realized thorugh Christ (=Reign of God here on earth)

The Early Church

Followers of the LordFor Fraternal MealsIn the domus ecclesiae (House of the Church)To do what Jesus did

The Constantinian Church 313, 319 AD – Edicts of Tolerance

Major changes

Structure and organization of community

Social status of members Ritual space Shape and manner of worship

BasilicaBasilica of Maxentius (Rome 308-312)

BasilicaBasilica of Maxentius (Rome 308-312)

Another angle

Basilica (Roman to Christian)

Basilica of Maxentius (Rome 308-312)

Bishop’s

Chair

Caesar’sStatue

Major Changes

Attitudes toward the present world and time shift

Conceptualization of Reign from temporal (future erupted into the present) to spatial (above and beyond)

Empire now seen as instrument to bring about the Kingdom

Function and Goal

From celebrating new life in the Spirit to celebrating the sacred mysteries

Worship Christ the King (emperor) g/f of ritual= open a door to heaven

so that we might participate in the heavenly liturgy of Christ before the Father

The Constantine Church

ChristiansGathered as Imperial AssemblyBefore God and the heavenly courtTo celebrate the Sacred Mysteries

Continuing Trends

Sacred/ Divine more remote and inaccessible

Sacralization of the person of the priest begins

Reintroduction of cultic language

BasilicaGreece, 5th Century

BasilicaGreece, 5th Century

Nave is decorated as heaven

Separation of priest and laity

with “iconostasis”

The Middle Ages

Lave fifth Century= collapse of Roman Empire

567AD = Tours II forbids laity to stand among clergy

Ca. 950AD – Pepin decrees Roman Liturgy

1000 AD = Eucharistic controversies

Major changes

Invasion of northern tribes Great fear of hell; penitential focus Church “split” into 2 spaces

A devotional space for the laity The “holy of holies” for the preist

Major Trend

Mass is increasingly clerical Latin no longer understood Focus narrows to consecration = Mass is

whispered Meaning reduced to sacrificed and

propitiation Multiple altars fill church to increase

number of masses offered, especially for the dead

People’s participation reduces to visual communion

Basilica to Cathedral

Communion Rail

Iconostasis

Chartres, 13th Centurty

Gesu ChurchRome, 16th Century

Function and goal

From celebrating the sacred mysteries to offering the propitiatory sacrifice

Action of the priest alone g/f of ritual = provide grace for the

living and the dead to serve at the hour of judgment

The Medieval Church

The FaithfulGo to churchIn the precinct of “the holy of holies”For devotion and Eucharistic adoration

as the priest offers sacrifice

The Protestant Reformation 1521= Martin Luther

excommunicated 1545 = Council of Trent begins 1563= Council of Trent ends 1570= Missal of Pius V issued

Major Trends

Reformers stress act of faith in response to Word proclaimed

Roman Catholic Church continues to stress efficacy of sacraments to produce grace independent of human involvement

Trent

Encourages “participation” and understanding Churches become “divine theaters”

Suppresses superstitious behavior Encourages communion

Doesn’t catch on until the 20th Century Treats Eucharsist as object

(presence) and sacrifice without offering a comprehensive or integrated treatise

The Post-Trent Church

Roman CatholicsObserve the Divine dramaIn the Divine Theater/Throne RoomTo dispose themselves to grace as the

priest offers sacrifice

The Vatican II Church

The Body of ChristGathers as ChurchAround the double table of Word and SacramentTo celebrate the Source and Summit of its

existence

Contemporary Church20th Century

Communion Rail

Vatican II Church