Day 145: Introduction to the Liturgy

The word "liturgy" originally meant a "public work" or a "service in the name of/on behalf of the people." In Christian tradition, it means the participation of the People of God in "the work of God." Through the liturgy Christ, our redeemer and high priest, continues the work of our redemption in, with, and through his Church. CCC 1069

The Catechism gives us another introduction in today's reading, but this time specifically focuses on the liturgy. It is "a sacred action surpassing all others" as shown in the Mass (CCC 1070).  The Catechism Compendium summarizes this section as follows:

The liturgy is the celebration of the mystery of Christ and in particular his paschal mystery. Through the exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ, the liturgy manifests in signs and brings about the sanctification of humankind. The public worship which is due to God is offered by the Mystical Body of Christ, that is, by its head and by its members. (#218)

Liturgy, "makes the Church present and manifests her as the visible sign of the communion in Christ between God and men" and "also a participation in Christ's own prayer addressed to the Father in the Holy Spirit. In the liturgy, all Christian prayer finds its source and goal" (CCC 1071 & 1073). Further, the liturgy is about catechizing all of God's own "to initiate people into the mystery of Christ" (CCC 1075). The Catechism Companion, Vol II notes:

The goal of liturgical catechesis is to help people understand the signs that are used in the liturgy and to experience the sacred realities to which they refer. "The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; it is also the font from which all her power flows" (CCC 1074). (p. 54)

Finally, I do like how the Catechism mentions earlier that for the Church the liturgy in itself isn't alone:

"The sacred liturgy does not exhaust the entire activity of the Church": it must be preceded by evangelization, faith, and conversion. It can then produce its fruits in the lives of the faithful: new life in the Spirit, involvement in the mission of the Church, and service to her unity. (CCC 1072)