Liturgy – For What?

By M L Satyan.

In India, especially in southern states, we are witnessing in recent years that many new television channels have been started by Christians of different denominations. These channels telecast Sermons, Retreats by charismatic groups, Songs, Eucharistic adoration, Mass, Recitation of rosary, Prayers, Interviews, Debates, Testimonies, and Biblical dramas and Skits. These things go on 24×7. The focus of all the above programs is the importance of worshiping Jesus. Sadly, the poor carpenter’s son Jesus of Nazareth has been converted into an ‘object of worship’ and a ‘commercial commodity.’

Recently Pope Francis addressed the Italian Association of Professors and Practitioners of Liturgy on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the organization’s foundation. The Pope insisted that progress in the understanding of the liturgy and the art of celebrating it “must always be rooted in tradition.” At the same time, he warned of a worldly spirit of going backward.

Going back to the roots, he said, does not mean going backward, but instead means allowing true tradition to lead one forward. He cautioned liturgists to carefully distinguish between tradition and “traditionalism,” warning that “today the temptation is ‘backwardness’ disguised as tradition.”

As per the tribal culture in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha and also according to various religious traditions there are ceremonies that are performed at home from the birth to death of a person. When some ceremonies are given a religious colouring, they become sacred or holy.

A Tamil book named “Viduthazhai Vizhaakal” (Liberating Festivals) contains a chapter titled: “Sacraments from Home to Church”. The author had done research on the origin and growth of the sacraments as per the Church history and spelt out clearly how the traditional ceremonies, celebrated at homes, were moved to church buildings and given a religious colouring by calling them Sacraments. This was done by the clergy with a selfish agenda to make them “clergy-centric” and for an “income generation”.

For a vast majority of the laity of middle and upper middle class, the First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Ordination to priesthood have become a “status issue”. The “extravaganza” exhibited on such occasions are beyond description. Adding to this, is the “Jubilee Celebrations” by a vast majority of the clergy and nuns as well as a minority lay people.

“Saying prayer” and “praying” are two different things. In every ceremony the prayer from “prescribed text” from the Ritual Book is said or read. There is no scope for praying or spontaneous prayer. Adding to this is all the “paraphernalia” that are in tune with the Roman style.

Let us read the following passages for introspection. “When you lift your hands in prayer, I will not look at you. No matter how much you pray, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with blood. Wash yourselves clean. Yes, stop doing evil and learn to do right” (Isaiah 1:15-17).

“The more of you priests there are, the more you sin against me, and so I will turn your honour into disgrace. You grow rich from the sins of my people, and so you want them to sin more and more.” (Hosea 4:7-8).

“But when you pray, go to your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.” (Mt. 6:6)

“All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another… they had their meals together in their homes…praising God and enjoying the good will of all the people” (Acts 2: 44-47).

The second Vatican Council granted freedom to celebrate the sacraments/liturgies as per the local language and culture. A classic example is Bishop George Saupin, former bishop of Daltonganj and Bhagalpur dioceses. When it came to his attire, he was always seen in his kurta-pyjama and gamcha (a thin towel). He wore a wooden cross with a black thread. During the daily Mass he just wore a shawl. During solemn liturgical celebrations he wore an Alb on his kurta-pyjama. In the place of ‘Mitre’ he wore a tribal turban and in the place of ‘Crosier’ he used a bamboo stick. Once during an ordination ceremony, as the procession was about to start, one priest commented on his bamboo stick. Bishop Saupin promptly replied, “This is as mighty as the Pope’s”. I think he was the first one in India to introduce giving Holy Communion in hands. Moreover, following the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, he gave freedom to the priests to celebrate the Eucharist as per the tribal culture.

Others who followed bishop George Saupin were Fr. Bede Griffiths, Fr. Amalorpava Dass, Fr. Deenabandhu, Swami Sadanand and a few priests of IMS Congregation. No one else ever tried to implement the instruction of the second Vatican Council pertaining to liturgy.

It is high time for the authorities of the Catholic Church to make a paradigm shift from the present ‘pyramidal model’ to the ‘circular model’, adopt inclusive or participatory approach, exhibit the values of accountability, transparency and service, form and strengthen the Basic Christian Communities, conduct meaningful liturgies that are related to daily life and make every home become a true church.