Amelioration of a liturgical ethos mindful of anamnesis and its convergence with environmental justice

Abstract

This article deals with the problematic praxis of life in the Anthropocene amidst the urgent calls for environmental justice. Normally, people are confused and misled by this concept due to a political ringtone. However, the article argues that justice or righteousness should always be integral to a faith community’s outlook on life. Among numerous other ministry manifestations, liturgical praxeology offers unique opportunities to establish a deep-rooted liturgical ethos. Contemplation about the harmful effects of injustices on a meaningful life provides the opportunity to reconsider how liturgy can enhance or ameliorate a liturgical ethos grounded in moral principles. The concept of ethos touches on the persuasive or performative essence of liturgical enactment. If this is the case, surely a hunger for destruction, wars, and devastating acts that limit opportunities for a liveable life in the environment should be considered essential. The liturgical ethos must remind people to remember the precious memories of what should be done regarding righteousness (justice) and wardship. In laying the foundation for a deep-rooted ethos, responsibility takes centre stage. Faith communities, by emphasizing this sense of responsibility, can contribute towards a renewed hunger for justice and righteousness in their environments. The research question guiding this exploration is articulated as follows: How can liturgical ethos, with explicit reference to anamnesis and its convergence with the gravity of environmental justice, contribute to fostering responsibility for the environment among participants of the liturgy? This question is addressed through a qualitative literature study. Browning (1996:34), for example, is interested in practical wisdom’s (phronesis) purpose of understanding human action and defines a research activity as a process that starts with a description and then moves to the endeavour of systemization. Eventually, strategizing perspectives will offer liturgical perspectives on a liturgical ethos or praxeology that could promote moral responsibility among the liturgy participants.