Participation

"Faith grows when it is well expressed in celebration. Good celebrations foster and nourish faith. Poor celebrations weaken and destroy faith." (from Music in Catholic Worship no. 6, U.S. Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy)

"WE are celebrating when we involve ourselves meaningfully in the thoughts, words, songs, and gestures of the worshipping community--when everything we do is wholehearted and authentic for us--whwn we mean the words and want to do what is done." (from Music in Catholic Worship no. 3, U.S. Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy)

"The Church earnestly desires that Christ's faithful, when present at this mystery of faith [the Eucharist], should not be there as strangers or silent spectators. On the contrary, through a good understanding of the rites and prayers they should take part in the sacred action, conscious of what they are doing, with devotion and full collaboration." (From Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy no. 48, Vatican Council II)

Liturgy is the public prayer of the Church. As a rule, it is not the place for private closed-eye contemplation or a self-centred stance. Charity suggests that we look around and see who is sitting next to us, in front and behind us, that we acknowledge and greet people as soon as we see them, and that we share our hymnbook with the people who have none. This in itself is a big change, for we were probably taught as children that our focus should be on God when we enter the church building. That meant no talking except to God. Being attentive to those around us is common courtesy, but it also the sign of an hospitable community that see the Lord in others. "Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, that you do to me" applies not just outside of church, but especially in church. Sharing a hymnbook is also filfilling the spirit of the gospel as well as giving a drink to those who are thirsty. Sitting with someone who is alone is just as important as visiting the sick.