How does liturgy shape us — not just as individuals, but as a Church responding to the signs of the times? In Numurkah recently, Fr Jake Mudge offered a rich and timely reflection on the liturgy as the Church’s shared work: rooted in tradition, open to diversity, and alive with Easter hope.


By David Walker

On Sunday June 22, St John the Baptist Parish Numurkah had the great pleasure of hosting Fr Jake Mudge who led us in developing our collective understanding of liturgy in the Church. Our group comprised local parishioners as well as visitors from St Brendan’s Shepparton. Fr Jake sketched a theology of liturgy for us, identified contemporary challenges in this area and proposed a way forward as a synodal and hopeful Church. He used scripture, art (old and new), contemporary theological writings and Church documents to illustrate his points.

Fr Jake reminded us that liturgy is, by definition, “work” and that this work is completed in the name of the Triune God. He shared his experience of being in community at Tarrawarra Abbey, where prayer bookends the day and, in between, the monks' focus is on their work. According to Fr Jake, the structure of any liturgy includes Word, Eucharist, Movement, Thanks and Sacramental Signs. Every liturgy is sacramental and has something of Easter in it, therefore promising hope top participants.

On the question of rubrics, Fr Jake noted a possible tendency in the last 800 years of Western society to equate the rubrics to theology, thereby overemphasising their status. Rubrics need to remain flexible and, in the fullest sense, directed to both the celebrant and the congregation according to the abilities of the community.

The first challenge Fr Jake identified was “How do we celebrate this time in Church?” Referencing Fr Frank O’Loughlin, he reminded us that we are in a time of transition between Christendom (past) and Pluralism (present) which creates a tension in regard to changing identity and a certain amount of grief.

The second challenge Fr Jake identified was how to maintain communion while reflecting and encouraging diversity? In this vein, he spent some time talking about charisms, the gifts individuals can bring to the celebration of liturgy, which serve the community. “The liturgical assembly reflects the diversity of God’s people as an ordered communion according to the various charisms and offices of that people” (Susan Wood, 2015).

As a way forward, Fr Jake reminded us that the early Christian community focused on four things – the Gospels, Community, Eucharist and Prayer – and that Pope Francis, particularly in Desiderio Desideravi (2022), invited us to live these out in prayerful discernment. New growth comes from the constructive handling of tension through listening, seeking common ground and reaching out to diversity.

In response to Strategic Direction 3 of our Diocese’s current Pastoral Goals, our time with Fr Jake certainly provided us with “life-giving and empowering formation” and plenty of food for thought. All present were grateful to him sharing for his time and his wisdom.

David Walker
St John the Baptist Numurkah Parish Pastoral Council