1. A LITURGY OF THANKS AND PRAISE pp. 180-181

2. Liturgy  Means public work or service in the name of/on behalf of the people (public worship).  It is the highest exchange between the work of God and our work.  It is a participation in Christ’s own prayer addressed to the Father and the Holy Spirit. In the liturgy, all Christian prayer finds its source and goal.

3. What happens in liturgy? God gathers us:  The invitation to gather comes from God; we as Christian answer this call by either preparing liturgy or attending and participating in liturgy.  It is God who desires to meet us in Liturgical service and gathering.

4. What happens in liturgy? God and creation exchange gifts:  God shares creation, the gift of life, death and resurrection of Jesus and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  We accept these gifts and offer praise and thanksgiving, allowing ourselves to be transformed by the love of God to become agents of transformation in the world.

5. What happens in liturgy? The Mystery of God’s love is made known though ritual, symbol and word:  We encounter God through proclaiming the Word of God; we encounter the death and resurrection of Christ and the Holy Spirit through Baptism and Confirmation; we encounter Jesus’ life, death and resurrection through the consecration of the bread and wine.

6. What happens in liturgy? The liturgy achieves our salvation:  It allows us to be in the presence of God.  It is an anticipation of our participation in the heavenly liturgy to come.  It makes us agents of love and reconciliation for the world.

7. What happens in liturgy? Liturgy promotes moral living:  Liturgy empowers us to act in accordance with the gifts fo creation and the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Ethical and moral actions become ways of giving thanks and praise, celebrating the gifts of God.