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The principal actor
of the whole liturgical celebration is Christ himself. He "is
always present in his church, especially in her liturgical celebrations."
It is he, the first one who prays in the praying community.
It is he, the unique Word of God to men. It is he, the unique
sacrifice "offered one time for all" (Heb.9:28) for
the reconciliation of all mankind. It is he, finally, the unique
Thanksgiving, for he is in himself "Eucharist," that
is to say, praise and glory for his Father.
Near him, like a wife
next to her husband, clings the Church:
Christ indeed always
associates the Church with Himself in the truly great work of
giving perfect praise to God and making men Holy. The Church
is His dearly beloved Bride who calls to her Lord, and through
Him offers worship to the Eternal Father.
Her essential perticipation
is neither in the songs nor in rites but in her heart. That
which counts more than all the melody in the workd is the gold
of her faith, the flame of her love. The best celebration is
not the one where we say: "How well se sand!" but
the one where we are engaged in loving better our brother in
order to love better our God. God Judges Men by their hearts,
not by their melodies.
Thes liturgy of the
heart, this celebration of Faith and of love, expresses itself
by communal prayers, by listening to the Word of God, by songs,
by attitudes, and by movements. We shall speak here about songs,
attitudes, and movements.
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