FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Dear St. Mary’s Parishioners,
In 1999, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (who would become Pope Benedict XVI in 2005) wrote one of his most important works entitled “The Spirit of the Liturgy”. (Ignatius Press, 1999) At the beginning of book, Cardinal Ratzinger brings up a theory which understands liturgy in terms of “play”. It was a theory that was first proposed in the 1920’s and Ratzinger noted that there is some validity to comparing liturgy to play or to a game. Like a liturgy, a game has its own rules, establishes its own world and the game is played out for a certain period of time, but then it is concluded and the playing of the game is suspended. Also, the Cardinal noted that “play, though it has a meaning, does not have a purpose and for this very reason there is something healing, even liberating, about it”. (p. 13) He goes on to explain how when we engage in games or sports, we are taken out of our day to day life. We need these times of retreat. With all this, Cardinal Ratzinger notes that while there is some truth to comparing the liturgy to games or to sports, the analogy is not enough. It depends on what kind of game we are playing, he writes. Some games can get very serious very quickly and then it just becomes a burden. “Whether we look at modern sport or at chess championships or, indeed, at any game, we find that play, when it does not degenerate into mere fooling about, quickly turns from being another world, a counter world or non-world, to being a bit of the normal world with its own laws.” (p. 14)
In contrast to the kinds of games that adults engage in, children’s play can be considered a closer match to the essence of liturgy. When children play, it is a kind of anticipation of life. Whether they realize it or not, they are rehearsing for life later on, without having to experience its burdens and gravity (like we adults tend to do). Comparing the liturgy to child’s play reminds us that we are all children, or should be children, when it comes to the true life that we all yearn for, which is eternal union with God in heaven. In other words, liturgy is a rehearsal for heaven. In this way, liturgy helps us rediscover our true childhood. When we enter into the liturgy, whether it be our participation in Mass, praying the Liturgy of the Hours or some other liturgical prayer, we open ourselves to something greater that it is to come. We live in the hope that someday the yearning in our hearts will be fulfilled. As I often say at funeral Masses, we are “homesick for heaven”. God made us to have this yearning in our hearts to be eternally united with him.
As many of you know, since I do mention it from time to time in my homilies, I enjoy sports. I enjoy playing them and following them as a fan. Still, I can be critical of what sports has become in our country. In many ways, sports have become a religion. Many people follow their sports teams with more ardor, energy and faithfulness than they would ever follow their Lord and God. Some families get so caught up in the sports of their children, that they miss Mass on Sunday to go to soccer practice, a basketball game or something else. In a week, the Super Bowl will be played. Think of all the money spent to play the game, broadcast the game, attend the game, and watch the game on television. Ponder the amount of money spent on advertising. Still, in the end it is just a game. And, while the Super Bowl may be fun and entertaining for us fans of football, it is always a letdown when the team you want to win, loses.
God will never let us down. When we come to Mass or participate in some other kind of liturgical prayer or even take some time for personal prayer, it is always a win-win. We are allowing God to speak to us and He listens to us. Yes, certain kinds of prayer require rules, such as the instructions for properly celebrating and participating in the Mass. But, the “playing” of these rules is a preparation for life in heaven. God wants to fulfill our heart’s greatest desire, which is to be with Him eternally in heaven. And that is a very good thing and a beautiful truth. May you have a blessed week!
In Christ Jesus,
Father Berg
