Does The Liturgical Year Really Matter?
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Does The Liturgical Year Really Matter?
Kevin Borst, creative pastor, reflects on the meaning of the seasons.
I had someone ask me once how I felt about the repetition of my work. Every year, I plan Christmas, Easter, and Sundays on repeat. The person asking the question wondered if the repetition is draining and unexciting. I had to pause and think about how I really felt about it, but it didn’t take long for me to feel comfort in the rehearsal of the liturgical year.
So much that goes into the major gatherings of the year at Commons, like Christmas and Easter. We do our best to be creative and fresh in how we present these special days while also holding true to the patterns and rituals that are their foundation. Creatively, what excites me is imagining what will draw our community into the theme. What special music items can we do? What video will convey the message we want everyone to feel? Liturgically, I ask myself what is the main message of this gathering? What will it take to offer a reminder of that?
We just finished Holy Week, and there is so much packed into just one week. I have always felt it is so important to pause on each of these days and experience everything we’re meant to feel. Take Good Friday: if we don’t really experience the depth and darkness of this day, can we really celebrate the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday? This is why I think church is so important. Every year we reflect on each of these days together. Then the next year comes around with it again, and I know it holds no less meaning.
It’s quite different from re-watching your favourite movie over and over again. I love movies, but they aren’t (usually) calling me into deeper communion with the living God like the liturgical year is. Experiencing liturgical moments connects with you on a deeper level. They call for something else within you as we trace the whole story of Jesus’ life every year. In our repeated rituals, God transforms us into the people we are meant to be.
And beyond those big liturgical days, there is the ordinary Sunday. Which is not so ordinary when you reflect on how meaningful it is. Every Sunday, we sing together, read scripture, rehearse prayers … all of this is not done in emptiness, but rather we are in a growing relationship with God in the church community.
Rehearsing the liturgical calendar is important. We are all meant to have a reminder from time to time – a reminder of who God is, what God continues to give us, and ultimately a reminder that we are loved. All this and more is rehearsed each year, and I love it.
As we are in the Eastertide season, may we remember our new life in Christ and look forward to experiencing Christ's life, death, and resurrection and everything that can bring us again next year.
Spring Worship Night
A night of thoughtful liturgy, the Eucharist, and singing together.
Join us on May 9 at 7-8pm, More info here.
