The Muppets and the Liturgy

(Spoiler alert: Do not read this if you are over 35 and plan to see The Muppets.)

Gaudete is the Latin name for this Sunday. It means rejoice and comes from the appointed Introit for the Third Sunday in Advent.  For centuries upon centuries on the Third Sunday in Advent, the worshiping congregation would hear Philippians 4:4 sung in Latin, “Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete” (Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!).

I suppose the majority of people will moan and groan just at the mention of Latin. (Latin is a language. Dead as dead can be. First it killed the Romans Now it's killing me.)  I’m not suggesting that everyone go out and learn Latin but I do think that a nodding acquaintance with the ancient language of the Church will enrich your appreciation for the liturgy and our way of worship in the Lutheran Church.

Here’s where The Muppets come in. (No, I don’t think we should have Muppets lead worship.)  Last night, after waiting for weeks, I finally saw The Muppets.  While most think of The Muppets as children’s entertainment, there is much there for adults.  In fact it is so packed with subtle cultural references that I don’t think just one viewing could uncover them all.  It is a delight to discover these hidden treasures and appreciate the effort that went into producing this movie.  Certainly the film will thrill children but its wholesome humor will satisfy the deepest thinking adult.

(Spoiler alert: If you intend to see The Muppets stop reading.)

The basic plot of The Muppets is a need for the Muppets to save their old theater and studio in Hollywood.  To do this they must raise $10 million.  The only way to raise this money is for the Muppets to get back together and “put on a show.”

At one point during a dance number the camera does a close-up on a Smalltown resident as he sings.  The Smalltown resident is none other than Mickey Rooney.   When I saw him I laughed out loud!

Of course if you’ve never seen Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy with Judy Garland in cheerfully naive musicals that usually end with the characters putting on an impromptu musical show to save the day, then Mickey’s cameo goes over your head and you miss one of the delightfully playful moments in the show.  It’s still a good movie but you have missed out.  I know because I asked a 30 something about it and he didn’t know why Mickey was there.

So this is a roundabout way of encouraging you to seek to learn more about the history of the liturgy and the importance of knowing a few Latin words to enhance your appreciation of the liturgy.  Certainly without Latin our worship still meaningfully points to Christ and His cross  each and every Sunday.  But if you realize that Sanctus means holy and is the Latin name for “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty,” you will begin to have a deeper appreciation for our Christian heritage and worship.  You will begin see that the work of the Holy Spirit (Sanctus Spiritus) is sanctification.  You will see why we often call the place where we worship the sanctuary (holy place).

On Gaudete Sunday rejoice with me that we have a way of worship that is simple enough for small children but deep enough to occupy our growing faith throughout our lives. To help you on your quest to deepen your understanding of our way of worship, you may want to look at the glossary on page xxiv in Lutheran Service Book.

Pastor Quardokus