Earlier this week I attended the Institute for Liturgical Studies at Valparaiso University. It was an outstanding conference, not only for the speakers but for the worship and liturgy.
The worship space on campus is similarly impressive. I was particularly struck by something on the day I left. As I made my way from the small lower chapel near the labyrinth and ascended the stairs beneath the pulpit to the large worship space above, it occurred to me that this is how heaven meets earth in the Liturgy. Our “little liturgies” and celebrations down here occur beneath and in concert with the Grand Divine Liturgy of the Trinity “upstairs.” Our celebration is as much a “foretaste of the Feast” as it is “celebrating in the basement.” It was marvelous to ascend those stairs.