If in my life I fail completely to heed others, solely out of a desire to be 'devout' and to perform my 'religious duties', then my relationship with God will also grow arid. It becomes merely 'proper', but loveless.
Pope Benedict XviRead
The real 'action' in the liturgy in which we are all supposed to participate is the action of God himself. This is what is new and distinctive about the Christian liturgy: God himself acts and does what is essential.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that true participation in Christian liturgy comes from God's own actions, highlighting His essential role.
Pope Benedict XVI points out that in Christian liturgy, the primary focus is not on the rituals performed by the congregation, but rather on the actions of God Himself. This notion elevates the liturgical experience by affirming that it is God's divine action that transforms the liturgy into a sacred event, inviting believers to engage in a profound relationship with the divine rather than just performing ceremonial duties.
Themes
LiturgyGodActionParticipationChristian
In practice
Example use cases
During a sermon on the importance of divine action in worship.
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If you follow the will of God, you know that in spite of all the terrible things that happen to you, you will never lose a final refuge. You know that the foundation of the world is love, so that even when no human being can or will help you, you may go on, trusting in the One that loves you.
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I am consoled by the fact that the Lord knows how to work and how to act, even with insufficient tools.
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Faith is above all a personal, intimate encounter with Jesus, and to experience [His] closeness, [His] friendship, [His] Love; only in this way does one learn to know [Him] ever more, and to love and follow [Him] ever more. May this happen to each one of us.
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Do not be afraid of seeming different and being criticized for what might seem to be losing or out of fashion; your peers but adults too, especially those who seem more distant from the mindset and values of the Gospel, are crying out to see someone who dares to live according to the fullness of humanity revealed by Jesus Christ.
Pope Benedict XviRead
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