Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison

I love the liturgy.  I love the order that it brings to worship.  In a world that is full of chaos and disorder, it is important for the Church to be a place of order and peace.  The pattern of the liturgy provides stability to worship.
The liturgy reminds me of my sin, gives me the opportunity to repent, and reassure me of God's mercy and grace for me as forgiveness is proclaimed by the pastor.  After all, isn't that why I come to church in the first place?
The liturgy is full of Scripture.  Is there a better way to praise God than to use the words God Himself gave us in His Holy Word?
The liturgy serves as common ground between people in the Church through time and space.  I once attended a service conducted completely in Arabic in Israel.  Even though I don't understand Arabic, I was able to follow along with the service and still left having received God's grace in the forgiveness of my sins.  The liturgy gives Christians a common language. 
That's why I love the liturgy.  That is why the timeless liturgy is worth saving instead of following the pattern of the world that is always looking for the next "new and exciting" thing. 
Now, don't even get me stared on hymnody... :)