For any normal function we need to have both words and actions. We can’t imagine or think of without these two. So also for the Liturgical celebrations we have words and actions which play major role and without them there cannot be a real participation or celebration. Here word would mean that WORD OF GOD, as well the responses, singing and different forms of prayers by both the minister and the faithful. Actions would mean that the different gestures and postures during the liturgical celebration that the faithful and the minister have to perform. For the celebration of the mystery these two are the basic requirements: the symbolic words and symbolic actions which make the mystery here and now present to each and every one of us otherwise it remain as a past action.
Therefore let us try to study and analyze especially the different actions that we perform during the liturgical celebrations such as sign of the cross, standing together, kneeling, listening, proclaiming, being seated, being silent, procession, singing, sprinkling, praying, blessing, incensing, presenting the gifts, laying on of hands, anointing, presiding, bowing and lighting.
1. Sign of the cross: Any liturgical/ para-liturgical service will begin with the sign of the cross. This is to feel the sacramental presence of the Trinitarian God throughout the entire body of the individual. At baptism one is immersed into that grace which we recall every moment and we make it. God the father= origin of our life; Js = source of grace and savior; Holy Spirit = the sanctifier and protector. It is through this Trinitarian formula we enter into communion with God as well with the community as one family as brothers and sisters. This communion is made because of the cross.
2. Standing together: this is a common posture as a sign of unity and sign of community to recognize the divine presence among the faithful. It is also a sign of joy, respect and to communicate easily with one another. ( 1kg 8. 14).
3. Kneeling: it is a sign of personal prayer as well as surrendering oneself to God. So also when one feels the sense of being at the presence of the Lord with the spirit of humility and meekness and acknowledging before God the sinful nature of oneself. (in our Indian context this also would be a sign of punishment, sth wrong one has done).
4. Being Seated: this gesture would mean that expecting something / listening to someone… (Lk 10.39). When someone enters inside a church this sitting posture would mean that to listen the voice of God as well as to enter into prayer, to realize peace, quietness, calmness in god’s presence.
5. Being silent: Everyone is expected to enter inside the church or for the celebration in silence. This is to show reverence, respect and to realize the divine presence in that holy place as well not to disturb the people those who are already there. This is to help the individual to discern, to meditate, to be attentive to hear the voice of God and to have communion with God. Thus one will have God experience in oneself.
6. Listening: it is the essential posture of a disciple to the master. We realize that Jesus is our master and our guru, we, as his disciples, need to have this attitude of listening the voice of Jesus in different levels. Most of our celebrations have this element more. This is to discover our vocation as the prophets were guided by the voice of God.
7. Proclaiming: often we think that the readings are read. More than this the message of God is proclaimed in the liturgical celebration is the appropriate term. It is the proclamation of the message of god’s love as well as His deeds to this particular assembly. It must be differentiated by the very fact of the voice. Every time we announce the redemptive action of God (Phil 2.11). All those who have faith in God has to proclaim the same faith that one has.
8. Striking one’s chest: it is a penitential gesture. It is not to accuse someone rather it is the acknowledgement of one’s own sins. All the more, it is believed that heart is the centre and root cause of all evils. The individual does this as a sign of willingness to change and to have the contrite and humble heart which will be pleasing to God (Ps 51.2-4). It is a deep act of faith and to understand the goodness of God and trusting upon the mercies of God.
9. Procession: any procession is a sign in liturgy that we are marching towards God and we are all pilgrim people on this earth to reach the heavenly bliss. Walking would mean that looking, searching, deciding and departing. Also all our procession helps us to understand that it is the passage from death to life.
10.Sprinkling: immersion in water (baptism) which has effected our birth as Christians. This is to remind our baptismal promises. We approach the altar of God with a pure heart. ( Ez 36.25-26, Jn 19.34, Ps 51.6-7).
11.Bowing: there are two different levels of bows. Bow of the head: when the three divine persons are named (name of js). And the second one is the profound bow: This has to be given to the Crucifix, tabernacle, to the altar, at the time of consecration, adoration, receiving the blessing from the Eucharist.
12.Incensing: incensing is to be used at the time of procession, beginning of the mass, altar, crucifix, gospel, at the time of offertory, Eucharist, minister and to the concelebrants. The main purpose is that “let our prayer rise to god like this incense”. (Ps 141.1-2).
Active Participation: Our general understanding regarding active participation is that all must be doing and performing the same action in the same manner, same way, same actions and words. But active participation in real sense would mean that the harmony between mind and body; mind and heart. (Sc. 11, 12, 14, 19). It is the community that celebrates the liturgy; whereas the minister just plays the role of a facilitator (Sc. 28). The very nature of liturgy demands from everyone to take part in the celebrations actively. Most of the faithful will be participating just passively. For them it has become a routine action, custom or habit or if I do not go for mass it is something wrong; or still others would feel that since my neighbors are going to the church / they will be watching. We need to take part in the liturgical celebrations with the open eyes, with open heart and hands. Active participation does not mean that in the bodily / external way rather it means the inner / internal participation which will be seen in the external actions, gestures and bodily attitudes.
Liturgical assembly is not the place of performance of whatever the parish priest or the assistant wants rather it is the time to celebrate the sacred mystery in a very meaningful way the community. Therefore each one has a bond of union with the church as well as with the community in which one lives and relates (Parish). All our Christian living is bound up with the assembly. Pope John Paul II in Dies Domini underlines the ecclesial dimension of the assembly.
Looking in the scripture the root Greek word έκκλέσίά / έκ κάλέω which means “call from”, invoke (1 cor 10.17). The people of Israel
Sc. 22, 26, 28, 33, 48 we can not celebrate mass for Hindus / Muslims. In order to celebrate the mysteries there must be the presence of the baptized community as an essential one.
The actions of the assembly must be in words, gestures, movements, singing, reading and responding. The entire congregation must be involved in praying / singing and it is not enough if few people do it. All the more we need to know that liturgy is the celebration of life in a simple, conducive, beautiful and creative ways both in the visible and audible levels. Therefore we need to make the celebration lively and active which also would require lot of preparation and pre-planning.
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