The Propers is a vast subject, not easily encompassed in one Insight Into Liturgy. They trace their origin to the early centuries of the Church, indeed their antecedents spring from the synagogue worship of the Jews. Perhaps, in a metaphorical way, it could be said they are like the scaffolding used in the construction of a building, both the exterior and interior. One significant dimension of the Propers is to scripturally identify the readings for the Liturgy of the Word. Another major task of the Propers, beginning with the Introit, is to essentially guide and enlighten our way musically through the entirety of the mass. The edifice we are building is, of course, our worship of God in Word and Sacrament, based on the spiritual inspiration and craftsmanship of those who came before as well as our own gifts.

The word Proper comes from the Latin: proprium; the English translation of which is: an attribute belonging inseparably to every member of a species. In other words, and in its broadest context, it can be said the Propers are intrinsic to who we are as Christians. And even more specifically, who we are as Anglicans/Episcopalians. In reality they embody and give life to the way we worship God, how we structure our liturgy, how we tap into the enormous spiritual heritage of our faith. As mentioned, the origins of what we now employ as Propers come from the Early Church, specifically the third and fourth centuries; and the term Proper became standard usage in a liturgical setting in the 14th and 15th centuries. Holy Scripture is by far the primary source for content of the Propers, whether spoken or sung; and the Propers are anthologized in the following service texts: the Gradual, Hymnal, Book of Common Prayer, Lectionary, and the Altar Book. As an example, if one googles the Propers for Sunday, September 6th, 2020, the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, they ‘ll find that the Proper for this date is #18; and  based on the Lectionary used by numerous denominations the following are the scriptural readings for the mass: Old Testament: Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 149; New Testament: Romans 13:8-14; Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20. So immediately the Proper for a given Sunday serves as the scaffolding for the Liturgy of the Word, essentially the first half of the mass. And herein lies the wonder and awe of this reality: our species, other Christians in other places, parishes, and churches, are intrinsically sharing the Liturgy of the Word in like manner. Or as Christ would say: “That they all might be one.” Toward this end Lutherans, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, United Methodists, United Church of Christ members are hearing the same readings as we are, Sunday after Sunday.

Why are such excursions into the nature and use of the Propers useful and of value, these scaffoldings of our liturgy? Essentially doing so elevates and broadens our vision of our liturgy and how through our worship we grow into a closer, deeper, more loving relationship with God.  Other Insights into Liturgy will probe more specifically into various aspects of the Propers, but always with the intention of how they contribute to our relationship with God: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. And of primary significance, how the depth of that loving relationship sustains us through difficult and challenging times. Part II will probe further into the Propers, and single out the Introit.