OUR CORPORATE MEMORY

The beginning of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy provides an overall goal and eight foundational principles for doing good liturgy.  “The Church earnestly desires that all the faithful be led to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations called for by the very nature of the liturgy.  Such participation by the Christian people as ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people’ (1 Peter 2:9; see 2:4-5), is their right and duty by reason of their baptism”[1].  The liturgy is our Christian community’s corporate memory

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Both readings today are memories.  Memories of boldness, beauty, forgiveness, courage, and proper worship of a faithful God.

The Book of Sirach’s meditation on David’s life is part of a lofty oration to some of the male heroes of ancient Israel’s past.  Its goal is to convince the young men, for whom Sirach is writing, that their people have a past of which they can rightly be proud.  Sirach’s praise is a remembering of the great deeds of King David, but especially focuses on David’s role in enhancing the worship of God through music.  David himself had composed melodies and ensured that musicians had a role to play in Israel’s worship, drawing upon the portrait of David painted by the Chronicler, who emphasized David’s contribution to the worship of God in the Jerusalem temple.[2]  We can see in our own Sunday liturgies the importance of good music.

The Gospel remembers how courageously John the Baptist spoke uncomfortable truths to very powerful people and how he pointed to Jesus as the “one to come.”  John was killed, and as sad as this is, we remember his bravery, honesty, and humility.  But mostly we remember that John points to Jesus as the Christ. 

Every time we gather in this church to celebrate the Eucharist, we remember.  Every Mass is a memorial of Jesus’ life, ministry, suffering, and death.  There can be no doubt the liturgical stories include sadness, challenges, pain, and suffering.  But the memory most treasured[3] is of the promise fulfilled, resurrection!

Liturgy done right, in all its beauty, points to Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, it invites all to full, conscious, and active participation in our corporate memory through Word and Eucharist, so that we may cling to the hope in the promise of salvation for all.

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[1] Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy paragraph 14.

[2] HomilyHelps, Exegesis of the First Reading by Leslie J. Hoppe, OFM.

[3] HomilyHelps, Homily Suggestion by Rev Steven R. Thoma, CR.