LAY MINISTRY IN THE LITURGY

QUESTION: "I’m afraid that if I join a liturgical ministry in my parish I’ll lose something spiritually. Can you give me some insight?"

ANSWER:

YOU HAVE nothing to fear. Jesus loved both Martha and Mary, and truth to tell, every person of faith is both Martha and Mary. Remember what St. Francis de Sales said, There are some birds who gain their food in flight. Never forget you are being guarded by the power of God through faith for a salvation prepared for you since the beginning of time!

WITHOUT THE liturgical ministers, the Sunday and Holy Day celebrations of the Mass would lose much of their prayerfulness and beauty. The word “liturgy” (Lat. liturgia) is used most often with respect to the celebration of the Mass. Expressed another way, liturgy is public worship. The word “minister” (Lat. minor) means servant. Therefore, a liturgical minister is a servant of public worship. What could be more pleasing to God?

IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION

TO KNOW this is to know the importance of religion in the lives of human beings. How sad it is to hear someone disparage “organized” religion. What other kind is there? may I ask. Who in his right mind would want disorganized religion? Or prefer wandering about like rootless Cain?

WHY WOULD God—the architect of all in the cosmos that is perfectly organized—be happy with disorganized religion? Was the Garden of Eden disorganized? Is heaven disorganized? Of course not! Actually, disorganization is a consequence of sin and a precursor of chaos, neither of which comes through, with or in God. These things are passing away.

PUBLIC IN NATURE

TO KNOW that liturgical ministers are servants of public worship reveals much about true religion. I will share with you an insight given to me by the Spirit of God, a grace which is conferring great blessings each day: RELIGION BRINGS TO CONSCIOUSNESS WHAT FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE INTUIT.

THEREFORE, PARTICIPATION in liturgical ministries—Eucharist, Lector, Server, Choir, Sacristan, Usher, Sanctuary Adornment—should be genuine, consciously understood and public in nature. These humble servants minister to God’s people through prayer, voice and gesture.

FED BY GOD IN FLIGHT

THEY SERVE others in the Spirit of God! They make it possible for parish members to transform their heartfelt desires (intuition) into the conscious reality of true worship of the living God. And along the way, all liturgical ministers are fed by God in flight! Through these good men and women, and their dedicated ministry members, God has blessed us beyond imagination.

WE OWE gratitude to God for raising up in our midst the Christian leaders of our parish liturgical ministries whose commit to serve with energy, excitement, integrity, truth and prayer in the years ahead. Be confident and join the liturgical ministry God has revealed to you:

WHAT SHALL I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. [Psa 116:12-14]

ONE REASON TO SERVE

ESPECIALLY DURING the Holy Days of Christmas and Easter, I hear people say, You know, I wish that strong voice in the congregation were part of our choir. I hear as well, He (or she) would make a wonderful minister of our parish.

YOU ARE to consider that only one of an infinite number of excuses can keep you away from life-affirming ministry and leadership, but there is one and only one reason for you to serve: JESUS!