“THE LITURGICAL DANCES, MOVEMENTS AND GESTURES FOR
THE FULLNESS OF LIFE”
Rev. Jeric C. Cortado, August 15, 2006
“Body
language sometimes speaks loudly than words” that is very essential in
Christian worship and liturgical celebration. This was one of the wisdoms arose
during our class session with Dr. Anna Skagersten[1]
on Contextualized Liturgy specifically on topic entitled, “Language of
Liturgy”. We all observed that most of
the theologies and philosophies are expressed in the form of literature through
the western or westernized theologians. Even the theology of struggle or the
theology of the people is expressed most often in the form of literature. On my
understanding Theology is rooted from the life situations of the poor,
oppressed, marginalized, deprived but struggling (pomeds) people. The pomeds
people define theology as an activity of interpretation, critical reflections
of the contemporary human life situations. It is an art of critical analysis that
dealt with faith rooted from the concrete gestures and rhythm of life. For me,
doing theology has no limit in expressions and we can do it in all our way such
through literature, music and liturgical dance or dance of the people.
In
this sense, the dance of the people or the liturgical dance is a dance not
simply for creativity in the liturgy, but it is a basic expression of the
works, experiences, and theologies of the common people. There are two words to
consider in liturgical dance, namely the dance and gestures. Dance defines as
to move one’s feet and body or rhythmically move in the pattern of steps with
the accompaniment of music. It is a term referring to the aesthetics of
movement or a physical movement with an expressive intent. On the other hand, gestures defines as a
movement or position of the hand, arm, body, head or face that expresses an
idea, opinion, emotion, and stand. Dance and gestures are both founded with traditions,
culture, and values, and it is founded with the works of the people. Both dance
and gestures were the most ancient arts that considers as one of the most
effective medium of self-expressions of thoughts, ideas, feelings, and theology
as well.
In
the history of domination and exploitation, liturgical dance, movements and
gesture are the basic expression that insist life, promotes the development of
resistance against the power of death. It became a symbolic reaction of what
the people encountered and experienced. In this perspective, when we act
something for the common good and welfare, for the unity, for the peace and
justice, and the integrity of life. We are actually doing the movements of
resistance against individualism, divisions, injustices, and inhumane
practices. We are actually engaged in the dance of the people for justice,
peace and the fullness of life#
[1] Dr. Anna
Skagersten was then a visiting professor of Union Theological
Seminary-Philippines from Stockholm School of Theology-Sweden.
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