July 25, 2004

why liturgy?

The work of the people...the people's work. This is liturgy.

This person did this work today:

Walked the dog.
Fed same.
Spent all of the available quality time with The Fiance.
Cleaned up.
Spoke to a young missionary about music. I think we will continue this conversation even when he is back home in Central America.
Prayed.
Walked.
Fed the cats.
Put together a new fan.
Made music.
Made Eucharist.
Anointed a traveler...a good friend bound for California.
Anointed someone in need of healing.

There is still much to be done. I am not a very good priest.

I still lose my temper.
I still leave important things undone or incomplete.
I can still alienate people with my absolutism.
I need to be more patient than I am.
I need to make meetings.
I need to be more caring of myself.
And I need to rejoice in my day.

Lord, may we be wakeful at sunrise to begin a new day for you;
Cheerful at sunset for having don our work for you;
Thankful at moonrise and under starshine for the beauty of your universe;
And may we add what little may be in us to add to your great world.
Amen. -The Abbot of Greve

All is liturgy. Life is the sacrament...One Sacrament...entirely complete.

Posted by tripp at July 25, 2004 10:14 PM
Comments

Perhaps that alienated someone needed to be confronted with the absolute claims of the Truth. In which case, what you did may well have been good medicine for their soul.

Think not that alienation is always an evil thing.

(But then again, if you're like me . . . well, God could sure round off my sharp corners.)

Posted by: Clifton D. Healy at July 26, 2004 05:49 AM

Tripp,
May you also know that you are a good priest, I saw it last night at church. I am grateful to be pastoring with you. part of that being a good priest is recognizing you are not a good priest. What wonderful contradictions this Christian life.
Another contradiction yes all is liturgy and Sacrament, but only because of the incarnation and that then there is but one sacrament, the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. And thus we come together weekly to give thanks to God.
Larry

Posted by: Larry at July 26, 2004 10:23 AM