Abouna Robert Matheus: INTRODUCTION TO LITURGY (class)I. A Theological and Historical Approach to LiturgyIntroduction: Christianity considers redemption as a gift of God: Ipse prior dilexit nos. We see this also in theliturgy, which is the celebration of the redemption: God comes to enrich us with His Word (liturgy of the word)and with the gift of His divine life (sacramental liturgy). To this descending line corresponds an ascending line,visible in the praise and thanksgiving in the liturgy of prayer. This one is always second, an answer on God'saction. So, liturgy is a dialogue between God and man (the Church).Part 1. Theology of the Liturgy1. Liturgy as a Personal Encounter with God: Theocentric Character of the LiturgyFor a correct answer to God's gifts on our part is required a review of our notion of God. Often we bring Goddown to the human level, as equal to us, as a merchant who has to give us grace in answer to our prayers andgood works; or we consider God as a friend. This is true in some way, even in the intimacy of grace (which isunmerited), familiarity, nonchalance is non becoming.The Church has inherited from the Old Testament the concept of God as Rex tremendae majestatis and thecorresponding attitude of awe and dependence. The distance between God and us is infinite. For Isaiah mancompared to God is as grass that withers. When God reveals Himself, He appears in majesty and man is filledwith fear. The most striking example of God's holiness is Isaiah's vision at his vocation. It is wrong to oppose tothe Old Testamental conception of fear a New Testament concept of love. Here also is the idea of transcendence.We can summarise it in the title: Pater immensae majestatis. God is Father and Lord: see the disciples' reactionat the miraculous draught of fish and at the transfiguration.In the heavenly liturgy, of which our liturgy is a reflection, we see the same fear. Therefore we start the daywith Ps. 95. In the beginning the Eucharistic celebration was sim...