Our friend and colleague, Theresa Cotter, defines it well in her book Called to Preside: A Handbook for Laypeople:
"Most of us, if asked that question, would probably answer with something about public worship and the praise of God. Of course, that is what we do when we have liturgy. But the word itself - liturgy- means 'the work of the people.'
The assembly of baptized believers does liturgy. Liturgy is public prayer, communal worship. It is not private prayer done by a collection of individuals at the same time and place, nor is it a performance by a few special ministers. Everyone is to participate. Liturgy expresses our theology while at the same moment it shapes our theology. Everything we say and do in worship is important, not because of God's response, but because of what it communicates to us about what we believe.
Liturgy is intimately connected with life; it is an icon - a pattern- for living. Composed as it is of symbols, metaphors and rituals, it is more real than most other things that fill our life. Liturgy is not only an intellectual experience, but an emotional, physical, spiritual happening.
In every liturgy we celebrate the reign of God - even though it has not yet come fully into being. As far as possible, our liturgy is to reflect the love, justice, and mutuality commanded by God since the times of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Liturgy addresses the awesome reality of God and the mystery of our own existence. Through the music, symbol, word, movement and silence of liturgy we hope for insight into the experiences of our life and from that understanding we make connections to our scriptural and faith tradition."
(Theresa Cotter, Called to Preside: A Handbook for Laypeople; St. Anthony Messenger Press, Cincinnati Ohio, 1997, p. 10 & 11. Used with permission)
"Most of us, if asked that question, would probably answer with something about public worship and the praise of God. Of course, that is what we do when we have liturgy. But the word itself - liturgy- means 'the work of the people.'
