The Biblical and Heavenly Roots of the Sacred Liturgy

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 9/6/2010 | Msgr Charles Pope

[markomalley]

Catholics are often unaware just how Biblical the Sacred Liturgy is. The design of our traditional churches, the use of candles, incense, golden vessels, the postures of standing and kneeling, the altar, the singing of hymns, priests wearing albs and so forth are all depicted in the Scriptures. Some of these details were features of the ancient Jewish Temple, but most all of these are reiterated in the Book of Revelation which describes the liturgy of heaven.

The liturgy here on earth is modeled after the liturgy in heaven and that is why it is so serious to tamper with it. The Book of  Revelation describes the heavenly liturgy and focuses on a scroll or book  which contains the meaning of life and the answers to all we seek. It also focuses the Lamb of God, standing but with the marks of slaughter upon it. Does this not sound familiar? It is the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

We do well to be aware of the Biblical roots of the Sacred Liturgy not only for our own edification but also as an answer to Protestant Christians who have largely set aside these rituals and, some of whom, criticize our use of them. Many people consider our rituals empty and vain, “smells and bells.” Some consider austere liturgical environments devoid of much ritual to be “purer,” and closer to the worship in “spirit and in truth” that Jesus spoke of in John 4.

To such criticisms we must insist that these rituals, properly understood, are mystical and deeply biblical. Further, they are elements of the heavenly liturgy since almost all of them are mentioned as aspects of the worship or liturgy that takes place in heaven. In this light it is a serious mistake to set them aside or have a dismissive attitude toward them.

With that in mind we ought to consider the Biblical references to the most common elements of Catholic and Orthodox liturgies. I place an ocassional note in Red where it seems appropriate.

 Candles  -

• Rev 1:12-13 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,  and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man. In traditional catholic parishes there are six candles on the high altar and a seventh candle is brought out when the bishop is present. 

• Rev 4:6 Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne.

Altar -

• Rev 9:13 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God. 
• Rev 8:3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.

Chair -

• Rev 4:1 and lo, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne! And he who sat there appeared like jasper and carnelian, and round the throne was a rainbow that looked like an emerald…. 
• Daniel 7:9  As I looked,  thrones were placed and one that was ancient of days took his seat;… In the sacred liturgy the Chair of the priest is prominent. But, as he takes his seat we are invited not to see Father Jones, but rather the Lord himself presiding in our midst.

Priests (elders) in Albs: 

• Rev 4:4 the elders sat, dressed in white garments…..

Bishop’s Miter, priest biretta –

• Rev 4:4, 10 With golden crowns on their heads……they cast down their crowns before the throne…. In the Liturgy the Bishop may only wear his miter at prescribed times. But when he goes to the altar he must cast aside his miter. The priest who wears the biretta in the Old Mass is instructed to tip his biretta at the mention of the the Holy Name and to lay it aside entirely when he goes to the altar.  

Focus on a scroll (Book) The Liturgy of the Word -

• Rev 5: 1 And I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I wept much that no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, “Weep not; lo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” In the ancient world books, as we know them now, had not been invented. Texts were written on long scrolls and rolled up.

Incense, Intercessory prayer -

• Rev 8:3 another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God…..

• Rev 5:7 and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints; 

Hymns  –

• Rev 5:8 – And they sang a new hymn: Worthy are you O Lord to receive the scroll and break open its seals. For you were slain and with your blood  you purchase for God men of every race and tongue, and those of every nation.
• Rev 14:1 Then I looked, and lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads… and they sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth.  

• Rev 15:3 And they (the multitude no one could count) sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and wonderful are thy deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are thy ways, O King of the ages!  Who shall not fear and glorify thy name, O Lord? For thou alone art holy. All nations shall come and worship thee,  for thy judgments have been revealed.”

Holy Holy Holy

• Rev 4:8 and day and night they never cease to sing, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,

Prostration (Kneeling) -

• Rev 4:10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne. …
• Rev 5:14 and the elders fell down and worshiped  - In today’s setting there is seldom room for everyone to lie, prostrate and  flat on the ground. Hence, kneeling developed as a practical solution to the lack of space but amounts to the same demenor of humble adoration.

Lamb of God -

• Rev 5:6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain,

Acclamations –  

• Rev 5:11  Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

Amen!

• Rev 5:14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!”.

Silence

• Rev 8:1 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. (and you thought your priest paused too long after communion?)

Mary -

• Rev 12:1 And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; 2she was with child and she cried out in her pangs of birth, in anguish for delivery. 

Happy are those called to his “supper”

• Revelation 19: 6Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderpeals, crying,  “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.  Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;… And the angel said£ to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

Golden Vessels, vestments  -

• Rev 1:12 – And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
• Rev 1:13 – and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest
• Rev 5:8 – the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense
• Rev 8:3 – Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, at the golden altar before the throne.

• Rev 15:16 – The angels were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests.
• Rev 15:17  seven golden bowls

Stained Glass -

• Rev 21:10 [The heavenly city] had a great, high wall, with twelve gates,… The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. (The image of stained glass in our Church walls is hinted at here).

Here is but a partial list, drawn only from the Book of Revelation. I invite you to add to it.  You might also read The Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn, and The Mass: A Biblical Prayer,by Fr. Peter Stravinskas.

[editor-surveyor]

I see the Da Vinci Code as “camp” Catholic.

[annalex]

The Rev 12 passage says she cried out from her birth pangs ... that implies she was suffering from the Genesis curse during childbirth

The passage simply says that she was suffering. It says nothing about any curse applied to her personally. Humans suffer at childbirth and she suffered because she is human.

[annalex]

when the majority of the NT teaches "faith alone"

It doesn't. The scripture always teaches that we are saved by faith and works. If you look through the usual Protestant prooftexts for faith alone, they are all false. There are passages that teach that we are saved by works (e.g. Romans 2:6-10 or Matthew 25:31-46) and there are passages that teach that we are saved by faith. There are also passages that teach that we are not saved by certain kind of works. For example, we are not saved by works of the law, or works done for a temporal reward. However, nowhere does the scripture say that we are saved by faith alone. This is the clearest teaching on how we are saved:

[4] But God, (who is rich in mercy,) for his exceeding charity wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together in Christ, (by whose grace you are saved,) [6] And hath raised us up together, and hath made us sit together in the heavenly places, through Christ Jesus. [7] That he might shew in the ages to come the abundant riches of his grace, in his bounty towards us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God; [9] Not of works, that no man may glory. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God hath prepared that we should walk in them. (Eph 2)

We are saved by grace alone (vv 6-8), we cannot generate grace ourselves (v 8 and 9), we are saved through faith (v 8), we are to do good works that God commanded us to do (v 10). This passage teaches faith + works. It is often cited by the Protestants as a prooftext of "faith alone" but invariably, verse 10 is omitted, verse 9 is made to mean that we are not saved by ANY works where the scripture clearly distinguishes the works of self-glorification from "good works".

The notion of salvation through faith alone is a counterscriptural Protestant fantasy.

[annalex]

Yes on both points, Pyro.

The mistake here is to think that the Church teaches that death and labor pain are punishment for individual sin, sort of like Hell is punishment for individual sin. Death and labor pain are consequences of the sin of Adam, but not of our actual sins.

Moreover the Church teaches that suffering advances our salvation and salvation of others; far from being a punishment, it is a blessing:

the sufferings of Christ abound in us (2 Cor. 1:5)

[I, St. Paul] rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church (Col. 1:24).

[HarleyD]

The seven churches were dealing with literal dioceses that were all part of the Church Universal (a/k/a Catholic).

If they were part of ONE church, it would have been most appropriate to address it to the Pope.

As for the quote from St. Paul, you can clearly tell that he was referring to Judaizers.

Whoever Paul was referring to, he was giving instructions to the church. There are many things that gives the impressions of being "religious" but they serve no benefit.

In fact, if anything, the context of the overall passage actually informs me that we should worship as the heavenly worship goes. After all, as St Paul says in the verse following: Therefore if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above...

The context has nothing to do with burning incense or candles. Rather we are instructed to be renewed in our minds and purify our flesh:

Col 3:5-9 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Do I think that either are essential for salvation? No. So if you don't care for incense or candles, by all means, don't.

I see burning incense or candles nothing more then what Paul states, "an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism". They do nothing in putting off the old nature and putting on the new. They are outward signs of piety, not inward signs of renewal.

If people want to burn candles for the dead-go ahead. It is nothing but a corrupt manmade work that does nothing to please God.

[dartuser]

The notion of salvation through faith alone is a counterscriptural Protestant fantasy.

Unless you believe what the Bible plainly teaches. I noticed you completely ignored verse 9 in your "exegesis" ... the one that says "not of works."

I dont think we can continue productively.

[dartuser]

Death and labor pain are consequences of the sin of Adam, but not of our actual sins.

Swing your partner round and round ... toss her in a corner upsidedown.

You are seriously dancing around the issue. If Mary was sinless, she wouldnt have been cursed in childbirth. To say she was suffering in some kind of mystical or esoteric way strains any resemblance of cogent hermeneutic.

[Salvation]

Many Catholics are unaware of how much of the Bible is in the Mass.

When I take them to the sanctuary and show them the sacramentary )the book the priest uses) they are totally amazed.

This is an awesome article. Thank you for posting it.

[Salvation]

Additionally I don’t believe many Protestants know how much of the Bible is in the Mass.

But that was the one thing that brought Scott Hahn to the Catholic Faith. ......... the amount of Biblical text in the Mass. Especially the phrase “Lamb of God.”

[Salvation]

The portrayal of the woman in Revelation can be symbolic of three images.

First, yes, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Secondly, Israel.

Third, The mother of the Body of Christ — the Church.

In the second two explanations, serious pain is present.

[Salvation]

You know better than to say they never had a Mass.

What does Paul talk about? Getting together in homes to celebrate the Lord’s Word and the Eucharist. He doesn’t use those exact words, but it’s there. Please read it again.

[Salvation]

The seven churches in Revelation are seven communities.

Paul went from community to community founding churches....I know you are aware of that.

[Salvation]

As Mary was dying, and she lived a good number of years after the death of her son, all the apostles were transported to her bedside.

This isn’t in Scripture but is recorded by the Early Church Fathers.

Look up the Dormition of Mary — I can give you links if you want them. LOL!

[Salvation]

**The “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church” is not the Roman Catholic Church**

You’ve got this backwards.

First the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church

then the Roman rite and twenty-one other rites.

[Salvation]

THE RITES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH -- There are many!

[narses]

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[annalex]

you completely ignored verse 9

From my post 43:

verse 9 is made to mean that we are not saved by ANY works where the scripture clearly distinguishes the works of self-glorification from "good works".

Also

There are also passages that teach that we are not saved by certain kind of works. For example, we are not saved by works of the law, or works done for a temporal reward.

So where DOES the scripture, in contradiction to itself but in accordance with the Protestant myths, teach that we are saved by faih alone? We already know it teaches that we are not.

[dartuser]

Please do provide a link ... I would like to read that story. Though I dont venerate Mary as a typical Catholic, I am genuinely interested in extra-Biblical history of the NT.

[annalex]

If Mary was sinless, she wouldnt have been cursed in childbirth

Who said she was "cursed"? Your reference is to this:

[14] And the Lord God said to the serpent: Because thou hast done this thing, thou art cursed among all cattle, and beasts of the earth: upon thy breast shalt thou go, and earth shalt thou eat all the days of thy life. [15] I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she [correct tranlation is "he"] shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel.

[16] To the woman also he said: I will multiply thy sorrows, and thy conceptions: in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children, and thou shalt be under thy husband's power, and he shall have dominion over thee. [17] And to Adam he said: Because thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldst not eat, cursed is the earth in thy work; with labour and toil shalt thou eat thereof all the days of thy life. [18] Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herbs of the earth. [19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the earth, out of which thou wast taken: for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return. [20] And Adam called the name of his wife Eve: because she was the mother of all the living.

(Gen 3)

Note a couple of things. Mankind or even Adam and Eve are not cursed. The Serpent is cursed, and the earth which Adam toils is cursed. Secondly, alongside the prophecy of suffering there is a mini-gospel in verse 15: the seed of the woman, that is the Christ born of Mary, will defeat the Serpent. So much rather than being cursed, Mary is blessed in Genesis 3.

The Catholic teaching of Original sin is explained by St. Paul in this passage:

[12] Wherefore as by one man sin entered into this world, and by sin death; and so death passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned. [13] For until the law sin was in the world; but sin was not imputed, when the law was not. [14] But death reigned from Adam unto Moses, even over them also who have not sinned after the similitude of the transgression of Adam, who is a figure of him who was to come. [15] But not as the offence, so also the gift. For if by the offence of one, many died; much more the grace of God, and the gift, by the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

(Romans 5)

Observe that original sin is not the same as actual sin that a person may or may not commit. Verse 14 does not refer to labor pain but to death as a figure of all suffering, and explains that they come even to those who did not commit an actual sin.

To say she was suffering in some kind of mystical or esoteric way strains any resemblance of cogent hermeneutic

It is one possible explanation, that the exagerrated birth pangs in Rev. 12 are a reference to what St. Paul once described as groans in the expectation of the salvation: "we also, who are in this tabernacle, do groan, being burthened; because we would not be unclothed, but clothed upon, that that which is mortal may be swallowed up by life" (2 Corinthians 5:4). It is, after all, a very poetic book. There is nothing uncogent about making notice of that. However, -- I already emntioned it to you but it does not seem to register: Mary certainly suffered in a tangible way. Her suffering was prophesied by Holy Simeon in Luke 2:35; it is referred to directly in Luke 2:48 and it can be surmised that Our Lady surrefered great anguish at the foot of the Cross. Suffering, either mental or physical, is not a consequence of personal sin. As I mentioned earlier to a Catholic Christian suffering is a blessing which brings about our sanctity. Most saints are martyrs; they suffered, and not for their sins but for the sins of others. There is no contradiction whatsoever in Mary suffering and being sinless. The only contradiction is between the Holy Scripture and the Protestant heresy of "total depravity of man".

[NYer]

Fabulous piece!