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Human beings are innately liturgical creatures, woven with a profound spiritual thread that draws us toward communal worship. We possess a deep-seated yearning within our souls to assemble together for the sacred work of offering prayer and devotion to God with one voice and one heart. This fundamental aspect of our humanity manifests so essentially that when authentic liturgy is absent from our lives, we inevitably seek substitutes to fill this spiritual void. As Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart.”

Various secular gatherings—rock concerts, political rallies, social protests, and sporting events—all bear the unmistakable hallmarks of liturgical practice. At these events, people congregate in designated spaces for shared purposes and experiences. They unite their voices in songs and chants, perform synchronized physical gestures, and participate in communal rituals that reinforce their collective identity and belonging. The parallels to religious liturgy are striking and reveal our inherent need for sacred community.

This observation isn’t meant to discourage participation in such cultural events. By all means, attend sporting competitions, concerts, and other gatherings that interest you and bring joy to your life. However, it’s crucial to maintain perspective about what these experiences offer. While secular gatherings may indeed celebrate important dimensions of human existence and community, they ultimately provide only a partial reflection of our complete humanity.

There exists only one Liturgy that enables us to participate in the fullness of human life in its most transcendent sense. As Psalm 36:9 beautifully expresses, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” The Divine Liturgy, celebrating our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, connects us directly with the source of all light and life itself. It’s through this sacred Communion that we experience not just an echo of transcendence but genuine participation in the Divine life.

The Divine Liturgy stands apart because it doesn’t merely commemorate human achievement or cultural identity but invites us into relationship with the Creator who fashioned us for communion with Himself. In this sacred assembly, we don’t simply encounter feelings of transcendence but encounter the transcendent One who gives meaning to all other human experiences and gatherings. This liturgical participation fulfills our deepest spiritual longings in ways that even the most meaningful secular gatherings cannot ultimately satisfy.