Eight short talks that introduce the Theology of the Catholic Mass, based upon the highly acclaimed The Divine Symphony: An Exordium of the Theology of the Catholic Mass‘ by David L. Gray. Published by Saint Dominic’s Media.
For the past century and longer, nearly every book written by Catholics about the Catholic Mass has taken to the approach of explaining the liturgy by dissecting it into separate parts and pieces. Contrary to this staunchly popular teaching style, the Catholic Mass is not a disjointed litany of things laity says, things the Priest says, times they stand, times they kneel, things they do, and things they don’t do. Rather, in all of its liturgical expressions, from East to West, the Catholic Mass is a singular and Divinely inspired composition, a familial song of prayers and confessions. It truly is a Divine Symphony called the ‘Ite, Missa est.’
Although Mr. Gray uses the Novus Ordo rite as the outline to narrate and guide the student through the liturgical movements, he also draws into text much older Latin and Eastern rites for the objectives of deeper study and explanation of the purpose, meaning, mystery, and orientation of the sacred liturgy. Such incorporation of so many various rites demonstrates, most beautifully, the universality and continuity of Christ Jesus’ memorial sacrifice.
In these talks, David L. Gray uses the classical symphony orchestra as a way to explain the structure and flow of the Catholic Mass. Even if the student is not trained in the classical works, Gray gives them enough history and examples to give the reader a good reason to appreciate and understand their many similarities in form and purpose. A third unique aspect of this series of talks is that rather than attempting to explain the Mass through Scriptural proof texts, Gray has rightly moved to explain the Scriptures through the Mass. For, as the Scriptures tell the story of salvation history, the Mass brings the promise of the story to its fulfillment.
Through beautiful prose and a concrete presentation of the Divine Symphony’s history, meaning, mystery, and liturgical continuity, David L. Gray, in this exordium, gives reason to all to know, love and pray the Mass.
