Tuesday, May 15, 2012
238. What is the link between the actions and the words in the celebration of the sacraments?
(Comp
238) Actions and words are very closely linked in the celebration of the
sacraments. Indeed, even if the symbolic actions are already in themselves a
language, it is necessary that the words of the rite accompany and give life to
these actions. The liturgical words and actions are inseparable both insofar as
they are meaningful signs and insofar as they bring about what they signify.
“In brief”
(CCC 1190) The Liturgy of the Word
is an integral part of the celebration. The meaning of the celebration is
expressed by the Word of God which is proclaimed and by the response of faith
to it.
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1153) A sacramental
celebration is a meeting of God's children with their Father, in Christ and the
Holy Spirit; this meeting takes the form of a dialogue, through actions and
words. Admittedly, the symbolic actions are already a language, but the Word of
God and the response of faith have to accompany and give life to them, so that
the seed of the Kingdom can bear its fruit in good soil. The liturgical actions
signify what the Word of God expresses: both his free initiative and his
people's response of faith. (CCC 1154) The liturgy of the Word is an integral part
of sacramental celebrations. To nourish the faith of believers, the signs which
accompany the Word of God should be emphasized: the book of the Word (a lectionary
or a book of the Gospels), its veneration (procession, incense, candles), the
place of its proclamation (lectern or ambo), its audible and intelligible
reading, the minister's homily which extends its proclamation, and the
responses of the assembly (acclamations, meditation psalms, litanies, and
profession of faith).
On reflection
(CCC 1155) The liturgical word and
action are inseparable both insofar as they are signs and instruction and
insofar as they accomplish what they signify. When the Holy Spirit awakens
faith, he not only gives an understanding of the Word of God, but through the
sacraments also makes present the "wonders" of God which it
proclaims. The Spirit makes present and communicates the Father's work,
fulfilled by the beloved Son.
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