The word "liturgy" means 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.
And so the whole of Christian life is meant to be permeated and marked by the liturgy and the sacraments.
The first thing to realize is that, “the Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life.” The Sacrament of the Eucharist is the source from which we get the power to live a daily sacramental life, and it is the summit toward which we move as Christians, namely to a more intimate union with Christ. We are all called to be saints, to be holy men and women. Who are the saints? They are those who respond daily to the graces they receive, to God’s life in them.
The fruit of this dynamic, intimate and sacramental experience, especially in the Holy Mass, grants us the grace that empowers us to live out our faith more authentically.
The reception of these sacraments commits us to live a liturgical life, and this does not mean just going to Mass on Sunday and going to Confession once a year. Each and every day is meant to be a living out the liturgical life from the sacramental grace we receive.
That is why many participate in daily Mass.
To live a sacramental life also means to be immersed in the life and prayer of the church. The church’s liturgy is where this is most profoundly done. Full and active participation in the Mass is key. This means the whole person: body, mind, heart and in spirit is actively present in the celebration of the sacraments.
