NOTES AND QUOTE

15th Sunday Year B

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
No, the Eucharistic signs and symbols do not of themselves change the social, political and economic structures; but they should change 700 million hearts and minds, grace them to admit the oppressions of which they are victims and for which they are responsible, inspire them to work with others for the coming of a kingdom characterised by justice and love.
The problem is not whether there is a link between liturgy and liberation. The problem is that we do not allow the liturgy to liberate – even to liberate us.
(Walter J Burghardt)

The predicaments which people want to celebrate have become much more demanding. They often go well beyond those the missal or modern books of blessing provide for.
We are asked to develop rituals for post-abortion trauma…to celebrate exam anxiety, success or failure…to give hope to the deserted…to ritualise stages of repentance because the quick confessional “in and out” is judged insufficient…to celebrate funerals for those with no religious allegiance…for those whom the family despise…or those treasured by their families but despised by the community…to be sensitive and imaginative with interfaith marriage services…to bury pets…
(Pastor Ignotus, The Tablet)

The liturgy not only proclaims the justice of God’s kingdom as something that needs doing, but it actually renders it present, not as one of our achievements but as a gift of God. In its presence we are confronted with that which we are called to be, with that which God would make us be, if we were to permit it. Saying “Amen” to any liturgical prayer is really saying “Anathema” to all that is opposed to God’s kingdom.
(Oliver Todd)