Making Sense of the Liturgy – Part 5

Important Note.  It is important to understand the Liturgy for one central reason, that is, in order to draw closer to the Lord Jesus, who gave the liturgy to us for our blessing.

The Collect.    Following the reading of the Gloria and before we launch into the actual reading of the Word of God, the priest prays a prayer called the collect (emphasis on the first syllable).  This is a short prayer, often one sentence long, and many times of ancient origin.  Often it sounds a theme which is carried forth in the readings of that day.  This prayer is not printed in the service booklet, as it varies from week to week according to the time of the Church Year.  The collect for the day is found in the weekly “TakeNote” handed out at the church door. 

The Propers.  The collect and the Scripture readings for the day are appointed according to what is called the Proper for the day.  For the time being we are still drawing these from the 1979 Prayer Book published by the Episcopal Church.  However, the Anglican Church of North America, is busily at work putting together its own Book of Common Prayer, and within the next few years it will appear for our use. 

The Scripture Readings.  In a Sunday service of Holy Eucharist there are three separate readings: normally, Old Testament; New Testament; and a reading from one of the four Gospels.  The lessons are linked to each other by some common theme, though the theme is not always apparent.  The readings are all listed in the 1979 Prayer Book in what is called the Lectionary, which is a cycle of readings which covers most of the Bible over a three-year period.

The Holy Gospel.  The Gospel passage is read formally by an ordained person standing in the midst of the congregation.  As the reading is announced by the priest or deacon, the people make a threefold sign of the cross on their forehead, lips, and breast, to indicate their commitment to the Word of God in their thoughts, their speech, and in their heart.  This all points to the importance of the Gospel reading as against other parts of Scripture, in that it they are biographical of our Lord and carry his own words. 

The Sermon.  For the most part the sermon will treat one or more of the Scripture readings of the day.  The sermon is climactic within the Service of the Word.  The expectation is that the sermon will interpret the Word of God, allowing it to be internalized and lived out by God's people.  Additionally, however, the exposition of Holy Scripture has turned the hearts of the people toward Jesus and prepared them for the Great Thanksgiving (the Holy Communion) which will shortly take place.

Next week: The Creed, the Prayers, the Confession, and the Peace as transition into Part II of the Holy Eucharist. 

Final Epiphany Blessings,

Fr. Dennis