Liturgy Talk: What is Worship?

“Worship, that is, the right kind of cult, relationship with God, is essential for the right kind of human existence in the World.” - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (The Spirit of the Liturgy).

In anyone's life, the relationships and friendships that we form, shape who we become. For example, when someone gets married, if it was not before, this relationship and this person becomes the highest priority and almost always is the relationship upon which other decisions and boundaries are made in friendships. In other words, the most important relationships in our life order and structure the rest of our lives. And if these most important relationships order our lives, they in turn start to shape who we become.

The most important relationship in one’s life ought to be with the person upon which one’s whole existence and life depends, that is upon the triune God, the Creator and Lord of the Universe. If this relationship is not ordered properly then the rest falls into shambles. Priorities become confused, and we begin to act and shape our lives in a way that is contrary to the nature and way we were created and meant to live.

Worship is the primary and the most foundational way that we are in relationship with God.