Episode 2 - Intelligent Worship

Summary

This script discusses the concept of full and conscious participation in the Liturgy, as emphasized by the Second Vatican Council. It highlights that true worship requires intelligence and conscious awareness, as noted by Virgil Michael. Worship involves acknowledging God as our Creator and depends on our understanding of what we are doing. The Church encourages both clergy and the faithful to engage meaningfully in the Liturgy, ensuring that worship is not just a ritual but an intelligent, active, and spiritually enriching experience.

Takeaways

• 🎶 The Second Vatican Council called for active participation in the Liturgy, emphasizing more than just attendance.
• 💡 Participation in the Liturgy should be full, conscious, and intelligent, as per the Council's guidance.
• 🤔 Virgil Michael stated that without intelligence, there can be no true worship, emphasizing the need for awareness.
• 🙏 Worship of God is an exercise of the virtue of religion, which involves acknowledging God as creator and recognizing our dependence on Him.
• 🧠 Worship must be carried out by intelligent beings, with a conscious effort to honor God fully.
• ✝️ In the ordination of priests, the bishop advises the new priest to 'understand what you do, imitate what you celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the cross.'
• 🛐 Vatican II emphasized that more than following the rules is required for valid and licit celebration; awareness and engagement are also essential.
• 👥 Pastors must ensure that the faithful are fully aware and actively engaged in the Liturgy.
• 💭 Without an internal understanding and consciousness of what is being worshipped, true worship cannot occur.
• 🎯 Full, genuine participation in the Liturgy requires both conscious awareness and intelligent engagement.

Q & A

What does the Second Vatican Council call for in terms of participation in the Liturgy?

The Second Vatican Council calls for active participation in the Liturgy, but it also emphasizes that this participation should be full and conscious.

How does Virgil Michael describe true worship?

Virgil Michael describes true worship as an exercise of the virtue of religion, which involves acknowledging God as creator and father, and recognizing our total dependence on Him. Worship, he says, is a rendering of homage to God by intelligent beings.

Why does Virgil Michael claim that intelligence is necessary for worship?

Virgil Michael argues that without intelligence, there can be no worship. This is because worship is a conscious act of rendering to God what is owed, and it requires a quality of mind or consciousness.

What instructions does the bishop give to a newly ordained priest after ordination?

The bishop tells the newly ordained priest to 'receive the oblation of the Holy people to be offered to God' and instructs him to 'understand what you do, imitate what you celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s cross.'

What does the Second Vatican Council say about the role of pastors during the Liturgy?

The Second Vatican Council states that pastors must ensure that the faithful participate fully in the Liturgy, are aware of what they are doing, actively engaged in the rites, and enriched by the effects of the Liturgy.

Why is it not enough to merely observe the laws of valid and licit celebration in the Liturgy?

According to the Second Vatican Council, mere observation of the laws governing valid and licit celebration is not enough. Pastors must also ensure that the faithful are consciously aware and actively engaged in the Liturgy for true worship to occur.

What does it mean for participation in the Liturgy to be 'conscious and intelligent'?

For participation in the Liturgy to be 'conscious and intelligent,' it means that worshippers must understand what they are doing, be mentally present, and have an informed awareness of the sacred rites they are participating in.

How does the concept of 'conscious participation' relate to true worship according to the script?

The concept of 'conscious participation' is essential to true worship because, without a conscious understanding and engagement in the Liturgy, worship lacks the necessary quality of intelligence that Virgil Michael describes as vital for rendering due homage to God.

What is the relationship between the Liturgy and the virtue of religion as mentioned in the script?

The relationship between the Liturgy and the virtue of religion is that the Liturgy is a formal act of worship where individuals exercise the virtue of religion by acknowledging God and their dependence on Him. This act of worship must be carried out consciously and intelligently.

What is the effect of intelligent and conscious participation in the Liturgy according to Vatican II?

Intelligent and conscious participation in the Liturgy enriches the faithful, allowing them to be fully aware of the significance of the rites, engage meaningfully in the sacred actions, and experience the spiritual benefits of the Liturgy.