Window to eternity Our homes reflect who we are, how we think, what’s important to us. They offer insight into how much time we spend there and how welcoming we are to neighbors, friends, and family. What is given pride of place shows what matters to us, what we treasure. How our furniture is arranged speaks of how we regard one another; our décor is a window into our imagination. Applying these metaphors to our worship and community spaces is nothing new, but the principle is worth revisiting. Somewhere along the line we became more interested in where we place the tabernacle than in the worship needs of the living Body of Christ. Tabernacle placement is significant, as we are a sacramental people for whom Eucharist is central. But it is only one consideration in many as our liturgy challenges us to put our faith to work as we go out into the world to serve as we have been commanded. Adoration without action in Christian service falls short of what we are called to be. Although we may be hindered by existing structures or restricted finances, we should make every effort to see that our worship spaces support the assembly in every way possible. Our attention to environment must extend beyond the sanctuary and beyond the church doors. That environment should reflect the seasons in a way that attends to the space in a way that avoids decorating objects and instead strives to engage the imagination by deliberately forming space. Ritual action should be seen and heard clearly, and all should be able to participate fully. That means ideally that the entire assembly should be able to interact with one another. It is interesting how being able to see one another makes so many of us uncomfortable. For all our talk of “full, conscious and active participation,” we seem more willing to do that if we’re staring at the back of the person in front of us rather than seeing the face of someone with whom we share worship.  The Church is a holy people, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, whose members give thanks to God and offer the sacrifice of Christ. Together, they take part in the liturgy conscious of what they are doing, with reverence and full involvement. They are instructed by God’s word and nourished at the Table of the Lord’s Body; they are formed day by day into an ever more perfect unity with God and with each other—they are sent forth for the transformation of society, so that finally God may be all in all. And by offering Christ, “the Victim not only through the hands of the priest but also together with him,” they “learn to offer themselves” (Built of Living Stones 33, quoting General Instruction of the Roman Missal 95). This issue of ML presents three different dimensions of environment and worship life. Veteran artist Nancy Chinn has created a remarkable series of liturgical banners sized for the National Cathedral. Forming a type of “liturgical year pilgrimage,” these banners bring a sense of ritual relevance and intimacy to the large assembly space. Blending traditional methods with new technology, the best of both worlds combine for a profoundly stunning visual experience. Architect James Hundt, in his reflection on the parish of Corpus Christi in Round Lake, N.Y., shares the discernment process of revealing community identity in the design of a worship space. The community had yet to fully realize the depth of its unique character, and the process of exploring design options provided insights into who they were as a worshiping assembly. In a most unusual piece, Liz Asborno explores the spirituality of the environment at Presentation Center in Los Gatos, Calif. Here the Sisters of the Presentation have designed an award-winning “green” dining hall and welcoming center and developed a community charism and direction that is entirely committed to sustainable living in a way that teaches and invites others to do the same. As we continue to strive for worship environments that challenge and inspire, may we keep in mind always that “the sacred liturgy is a window to eternity and a glimpse of what God calls us to be” (BLS 15). ML SUBSCRIBE NOW! What do YOU Think? Send an e-mail to ML Editor or post an entry on the ML Current Issue Discussion Board. (All submissions become the property of RPI and may be edited for length.)