The Spiritual Meaning of the Liturgy: School of Prayer, Source of Life

by Goffredo Boselli

“I am increasingly convinced that the decisive question that demands an answer from us is not so much how believers experience the liturgy, but whether believers live from the liturgy they celebrate.” With these few words Goffredo Boselli captures the essence of this present work.
  Believers can celebrate the liturgy throughout their lifetimes without ever really drawing their lives from it. And this is true of all believers—laity, clergy, or monastics. More than a century after the start of the liturgical movement and half a century after the start of the postconciliar liturgical reform, we must ask the difficult question of whether the liturgy has or has not become the source of the spiritual life of believers. For only by living from the liturgy can they receive the nourishment necessary to maintain a life of faith in today’s world.
  In The Spiritual Meaning of the Liturgy , Goffredo Boselli—one of Europe’s foremost liturgical theologians—offers an accessible and important guide for both scholars and interested laypeople to understand the meaning that permeates the liturgy and its implications for daily living. Readers will find here a resource to help understand the liturgy more fully, interiorize it more effectively, and live it more authentically.

Genres: Spirituality, Theology

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 2014

Reviews

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone has said that going to mass is a matter of remembering important things that have been forgotten. Boselli’s detailed explanation of the meaning of each part of the mass in this short book is a reminder of what can easily be forgotten, and how the mass has to do with Jesus and his actions. Boselli’s overall point, it seems to me is that the liturgy contains everything that an individual who considers himself a Christian, principally but not exclusively, a Catholic Christian, needs to know and practice.

It begins with the reading of scriptures. In Luke, Boselli points out, Jesus begins his preaching ministry with a reading (the only reading he ever did in the gospels) from the prophecy of Isaiah which says that the spirit of the Lord is “on me” and that today “this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” From this comes the significance of the readings that the people listen to at the mass.

At the heart of the mass is an act of worship, an offering, symbolized by the bringing to the altar bread and wine, always together as they “are the sign, when it is fully humanized, which includes both the daily and the festive, necessity and gratuity, fatigue and joy, moderation and inebriation, temperance and euphoria, obedience and freedom . . .” All of this is is not a case of something forgotten, but of things I had never thought of before.

One point of the Eucharist is make people feel that they are physically a communion of brothers and sisters, so one cannot participate in the mass, for example, by sitting at home and viewing a mass on television. It’s more than matter of formal obligation, but rather is at the heart of what it means to call oneself a Christian.
What should a Christian ask for? Unity, peace, and perfection in love, qualities that Paul refers to his letter to the Christians of Ephesus. One aspect of “unity” that Boselli emphasizes is that it includes a oneness, not only with other human beings, but with all creation, “thinking and unthinking, animate and inanimate,” all to be thought of in a spirit of inclusion and thanksgiving.

Growing out of this is what the author calls “bodyforyou”, Christ’s participation in creation handed on to every participant at the mass. The body, the “bread” is broken and distributed to those who are present. It’s a communal meal which should negate any feelings of division and individualism.

These points are not exhaustive but give some sense of what the mass represents. In conclusion, the author stresses that the liturgy transmits faith, not though abstract discourses on truths to be believed but through transforming belief into ritual action. Once a person enters into the Sunday mass liturgy, he or she should realize that they are neither better nor worse than anyone else; some people they see are known, others completely unknown. It makes no difference. The word of God is heard, the bread and wine of life is offered, then shared, and through all of this a true “community” is established.

[Rick Stuckwisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book, not terribly long, and not at all difficult to read, but engaging and substantive. It is well written and has the real strength that comes from dealing with specifics in a theologically thoughtful way. Although written from a Roman Catholic perspective, from within a Roman Catholic context, and dealing with rites and ceremonies specific to the Roman Church, the discussion is insightful and thought-provoking for those outside of that particular communion. Much of the theology discussed on the basis of the Liturgy is soundly rooted in ancient Christian practice and is pertinent to anyone living within the historic traditions of the Church. The Foreword was a bit awkward in its expression, but the body of the book is a very readable translation.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boselli brings his experience as monk and liturgy expert to bear on our public prayer of the Church. It centres mainly on the Mass, but deals with other liturgies at times as well. His basic argument is for us to reflect on the words and actions that we pray. To understand that we pray what we believe and, if we keep deepening our understanding, our prayer, our belief and our life at large will continue to be deeply enriched. He draws on many sources, and, as one who leads liturgies, I found this book both challenging and inspiring. Even his chapter on liturgy, justice and the poor makes us pause. A good book for those studying liturgy and sacraments, religious and clergy, and those engaging in religious education.

[Adam Zajac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely excellent book, filled with heavy quotes that can lead to many hours of contemplation and the beginning of many conversations.