Inside ML

In our 30th year, as part of our ongoing commitment to liturgical renewal, ML presents Liturgical Literacy, a series of articles intended to provide a fresh perspective on the basics of liturgy as well as commentary on new issues of liturgy as they unfold. Topics will include the fundamentals of lay presiding, elements of ritual prayer and a focus on the Liturgy of the Hours. Despite the crises of today, or perhaps because of them, strong leaders with determined vision continue to emerge — women and men, progressive and conservative, young and old of all ethnic traditions, presenting the many faces of the one God. These modern prophets have reclaimed the joy of salvation and they renew the willing spirits of those whose lives they touch. Who are these prophets? They are the architects whose vision takes form in a holy dwelling place. They are those who break open the word and lead others to discover the ways of prayer. They are those who preach and teach, sing and dance, contemplate and reflect. They are the presence and action of Christ in this troubled world.

I met one of these prophets recently at a conference. She shared humbly and powerfully the truth revealed in the psalms. As she spoke the words of one particular psalm, her words became a song created uniquely in that moment. Astonished musicians joined in and began to improvise and the moment became prayer. In our presence that day, God’s word was indeed fulfilled. In her person, by her passion and in her humility she witnessed to the reality of Christ. The church says it has no authority to ordain women and in seeing the wonder of this extraordinary woman, it seems the church is correct. It has no authority to ordain a person who already bears the presence (if not the “image”) of the Lord. Her daily “Amen” to God’s invitation to service is complete.

A gifted priest once distilled the profession of faith to three questions. He began with “Do you believe in God?” Catholics accustomed to ritual dialogue respond almost automatically with “I do.” He continues, “Do you really believe in God?” Finally he asks, almost in a whisper, “Do you stake your life on that belief?” May our words and actions always answer “I do” and to that profession, may God’s people say “Amen!”

Correction

In the April 2003 issue, the web addresses for Cave Co. and the Liturgical Press on the Web Resources page (36) were incorrect. The correct address for Cave Co. is www.churchgoods.net. The correct address for Liturgical Press is www.litpress.org. ML regrets the error. ML

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