Liturgy as a Way of Life

Why Daily Worship Shapes the Christian Soul

In this post, I will discuss the meaning and significance of liturgy—both in its historical and Christian context. I will also discuss why Christians should be praying the Mass and the Daily Office every single day.

I’ll explore the origins of the term liturgy, which comes from the Greek, where it originally referred to public service or civic duty. I’ll also explain how Christianity adopted and transformed the concept of liturgy into public worship for the salvation and benefit of all humanity.

Christian liturgy, particularly the Mass, is both sacramental and missional. It is not only an act of worship but also a means of intercession for others and a call to bring Christ into the world through our daily lives. I argue that liturgy is not just a religious formality, but an essential part of Christian faith and service.

So, what is the meaning of liturgy?

Historically, the definition of liturgy comes from the Greek. It’s composed of two words: laos, meaning “public” or “people,” and ergon, meaning “work.” So leitourgia—or liturgy—means public service. The Oxford Classical Dictionaryprovides a helpful definition. It tells us that liturgy was actually more of an institution, particularly in Athens, though it’s attested elsewhere in the Greek world. It was a way for wealthy individuals to contribute their resources for the public good. These individuals would take on certain public expenses at their own cost.

Liturgy channeled the spending and competitiveness of the wealthy into public-spirited directions and was perhaps less restrictive than taxation. In Athens, there were two main types of liturgies: the trierarchy and various other liturgies.

The trierarchy required an individual to provide a ship for the navy. Other types of liturgies included:

• Sponsoring a chorus for musical or dramatic festivals.

• Supporting a team competing in athletic events.

• Providing food and drink for public banquets.

• Leading public delegations to foreign festivals, covering travel, food, lodging, and more.

At the state level, there were at least 97 liturgies in a normal year, and up to 118 in years with special banquets and festivals.

So how did Christians come to use the word liturgy?

As with many things, Christians took words from common usage and sanctified them—setting them apart for holy purposes. In this case, while the original Greek term meant “work done for the good of the public,” in Christianity it came to mean public worship done for the benefit and salvation of all mankind.

Here’s what I mean:

The liturgy of the Mass is meant to be both sacramental and missional. First, the Mass is prayed for all people. The Church prays the Mass because Christ came, lived, died, rose again, and ascended for the life of the world. Jesus says in John 6:51:

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Liturgy is meant to be prayed in community for the good of all people. When we gather to worship God through the Liturgy of the Word and the Sacrament—in other words, the Mass—we do so not only for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others.

Here’s how it benefits others:

• We pray in the Mass and Daily Office for the sick, the needy, and the dying.

• We lift up our civic and church leaders.

• We offer personal intentions to the Lord.

• And at the end of the Mass, we are sent out into the world, having been nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ, to bless everyone we encounter.

In a sense, the liturgy doesn’t end when the Mass ends. The liturgy is sacramental because Christ, through His Spirit, now indwells us. Wherever we go, Christ goes. The Mass is also missional because in our liturgy, we affirm our commitment to do what God has called us to do—pray daily, among other things.

For example, in Rite I of the Anglican Prayer Book (2019), during the Great Thanksgiving, the priest says:

“It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God.”

“At all times” suggests that we should celebrate the Mass as often as possible—not just once a week. In the Prayer of Consecration, Jesus also commands us to “continue a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice until his coming again.” This supports the idea of daily remembrance through the Mass.

At the Words of Institution, Jesus tells His disciples:

“Take, eat; this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

“Drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Both of these instructions imply that we should desire to partake of His Body and Blood regularly—even daily.

Another relevant part is the post-communion prayer, where we say:

“And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in.”

This is a powerful reminder that we are called to remain in fellowship with the Body of Christ—the Church—and in continual fellowship with His real presence through the Eucharist.

In the liturgy of the Mass, the priest also says:

“We beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service.”

This reminds us that prayer is not merely a privilege, but our duty and service to God. Continuing in that holy fellowship is not just a feeling—it is a concrete act of duty and service, through which His presence is given to us by grace.

Thus, the Mass is sacramental. And the Church—the mystical Body of Christ—is sacramental in nature, because it receives God’s grace and presence and carries them into the world. By the Mass and the presence of Christ, we are strengthened, healed, made whole, and made capable of serving Him.

So, why should you pray the Mass and the Daily Office every day?

Think of it this way: You know exercise is good for you. It benefits your body, your bones, your muscles, your ligaments, your mind. But imagine if you only exercised once a week. Sure, it would help a little—but imagine how much more benefit you’d get if you exercised more regularly.

It’s the same with the Mass and the Daily Office.

We should be praying—either the Daily Mass or the Daily Office—as part of our individual spiritual practice and as part of our corporate worship and formation. This is how we become the hands and feet of Christ in the world.

If you’re not praying daily—Mass or the Office, or ideally both—you are missing out on God’s daily grace. You’re missing out on being a living, missional part of the mystical Body of Christ, and you’re missing out on being formed more fully into His image.

So here’s my encouragement: Start with the Daily Office—Morning or Evening Prayer. Make it a habit. Then find a place where you can go to pray the Daily Mass. Not every church offers it—not even every Anglican church—but make the effort. Find a place, and receive the grace of Christ daily, so you can go out into the world and be the Body of Christ.