Liturgy and Reverence

Abstract

ABSTRACT:This essay is concerned with reverence in liturgy, but it consults a different collection of authors than the usual clique of liturgical commentators. It turns, instead, to a group of Catholic spiritual writers called theologians of abnegation, who describe the necessity of abnegating self-will and self-love in order to be reverent toward God. There ought to be a relationship between the sacramental liturgy celebrated in ritual form and the liturgy we manifest in living our life. This essay tracks that relationship.