The US Navy and Liturgy

In our casual culture, we have lost most of the vestiges of civilized formality and ceremony. One place, however, that has maintained the use of dignified ceremony is the U. S. Navy. Since moving to Whidbey Island I have grown to love the Naval Air Station's sailors and the way they present themselves in accordance with the traditions of the US Navy. I have had the blessing of being invited to naval ceremonies ranging from the memorial for the techs from EODMU 11 to the induction ceremony for a class of Navy Chiefs to serving as chaplain for a change of command ceremony. Formal wording, gesture, structure, movement and action are all not just parts of these events, but are the heart of them.

Watching the precision drill work of the US Navy Ceremonial Honor Guard shows that ceremony and even drilling have value in transforming the ordinary work of walking and carrying a weapon into something beautiful.



Compare this to liturgy. At the beginning of the service, the pastor has to get to the front of the church. He could stroll up the aisle chatting with the latecomer who is taking her seat near the front, but the church has wisely followed the dictate of St. Augustine that there should be no movement in the worship service without music. So the pastor processes in while the congregation sings a Hymn. So also when he bows, kneels, turns, gestures, approaches the altar as the Introit is intoned, makes the sign of the cross, raises the chalice, holds a book, and raises his hands in blessing, he displays the proper dignity to match what is going on here. God himself comes to serve us in the worship service. Heaven and Earth come together. The people of God eat the Bread of Life. Lost sons of perdition receive the name, sons of God and are given a token of the inheritance they are soon to receive.

Our ceremony, liturgy and careful presentation of the Word confirm the truths the church presents. It is nice to see that the wisdom of formality is not lost in all parts of society, and it is a joy to serve in a place where such wisdom is still treasured.