Chanting the Canticles, Psalms and Responsories, along with burning incense are historical aspects of the ancient liturgy dating all the way back to the time of David and Solomon, and before. These practices endured through the time of Christ, through the era of the Early Church and through the Renaissance. At the age of pietism and especially in the age of rationalism of the 18th and 19th centuries, good European protestants decided for themselves to throw off the fetters of the past, ridding themselves of the supposed encumbrances of so called "Romish pomp" and medieval superstitions. In doing so the Lutherans who followed these reformed practices robbed themselves of some of the most beautiful and meaningful aspects of the liturgy of the Divine Service.
The traditional worship movement or the liturgical movement within the Lutheran Church is reclaiming the lost heirlooms of Historic Lutheranism and restoring them to their rightful place within the chancels, naves, and homes of Lutherans around the world. I myself, quite independently of this broader movement, was searching for historic and meaningful rites for worship which were deeper than what I was finding in the contemporary worship scene of the non-denominational churches. On my own I had found the richness of burning incense during evening prayers and the chanting of Scripture. Then as a twenty year old I later discovered that the Lutheran Church; with its standard Divine Service liturgy for the mass was exactly what I was looking for. After Twenty years now in the Lutheran Church I am shocked and saddened to see some Lutherans throwing traditional and historic liturgical practices overboard in favor of the ever new and changing contemporary worship genre.
The Lutherans sans liturgy will be left holding an empty sack because people are now searching for deeper and more meaningful worship practices. They are ready to make the journey and Lutherans are throwing away the field guide and compass. For those of us who are holding on and not giving up the ship, take heart! The interest in historic Liturgical practices is on the rise. Keep the coals burning and incense ready and keep your Gregorian Psalm tones in your oratories.
It is kind of funny to think about, that the Lutherans of the age of rationalism left liturgy behind as a superstition and today science is supporting some of these very same practices as good and useful. For example the use of aroma and music therapies have received wide acceptance. The field of psychology at one time which seemed so antithetical to faith has now underscored the benefit to be obtained from attending church, praying and meditating. I have included below as examples two articles from the secular media that espouse the benefits of chanting and burning incense. The first article addresses the revitalizing sounds of liturgical chanting. Click on the URL: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/dec/06/na-listening-for-the-lord/The second article presents the findings of a study that indicate that burning frankincense may relieve depression. Click on the URL: http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/05/21/burning-incense-may-lower-depression/2331.html
Blessings+
Father Daniel
