Liturgy As Rituals Loaded with An Ultimate Story

Smith (2016) defines liturgy as rituals loaded with an ultimate story about who we are and what we are for that carry within them a kind of maximum orientation. They also involve a series of actions or behaviors regularly followed by Christians. In his book, ‘‘you are what you love,’’ Smith (2016) shows that human worship fundamentally shapes their hearts. Basic Christian teachings show that anyone who boasts of being a follower of Christ must demonstrate through their actions. These entail praying, loving their enemies, loving God, forgiving, asking for forgiveness, worshipping God wholeheartedly, serving others, and helping the sick, needy, and underprivileged.
The scripture teaches that we should follow the teachings of Jesus and long to be like him. In other words, it encourages us to be part of the discipleship. Discipleship is a way to curate a person’s heart, to be attentive to and intentional about what they love. Jesus’ command to follow him is a command to align our loves and desires with his. My liturgical audit reveals the things I love that make me happy and healthy and strengthen my relationship with God. In my audit, I listed praying, worshiping, helping the needy, visiting the sick, reading the Bible, conserving the environment, serving others, reading books, shopping, walking, socializing, and watching movies as some of the things I love.
The above activities also strengthen my body, mind, and soul. For instance, praying, worshipping, and reading the Bible nourish my spirituality. They enable me to rise above life’s obstacles and temptations and get a glimpse of the meaning and purpose behind my current circumstances. Reading ...