Question: What is liturgy?
There are lots of questions about liturgical celebrations. But what is liturgy? What is the origin of the word? Liturgy comes from the Greek "leitos" meaning people and "ergon" meaning work. Etymologically, it means the work of the people. Since it is the work of the people, it is a public act. It means also a public service rendered to somebody or to the state. This was the original conception of the liturgy by the Greeks.
In the religious sense, it is a public celebration done by the baptized directed to God who is worthy of worship. So it is not a private activity but an act by the whole church. It entails that those who come to the liturgical celebration should actively, consciously and fully participate. For example, when we go to Mass on Sundays, we should not be mere spectators. We have to participate in the liturgical acts through singning, responses and gestures. We should be conscious of what we are doing. We have also to participate fully which means to receive holy communion during Mass. But we have to remember that we can receive holy communion if we are in the state of grace. Hence, our participation becomes also fruitful and meaningful.
The liturgy especially the Mass would be more fruitful and meaningful if we live daily what we have experienced inside the church. Participation then extends even outside of the church. And so "Go and live daily what we have celebrated."
