The Significance of the Opening Acclamation
Each Sunday, our service commences with a seasonal opening acclamation. In Lent we hear “Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins. His mercy endures for ever.”
But why is this practice so important?
“Acclamation” signifies loud, enthusiastic praise, evoking the image of a stadium crowd cheering their team. It’s more than a simple start; it’s a vibrant reminder that our worship is a joyful and triumphant expression of praise to God.
Historically, these acclamations served as distinctive greetings for early Christians. Instead of “Good Morning,” they proclaimed “Christ is Risen!” and received the response “The Lord is risen indeed!” Our liturgical acclamations continue this tradition, welcoming us into sacred space and time. This explains why a separate “welcome” is unnecessary before the liturgy; it would be redundant and diminish the acclamation’s meaning.
Furthermore, the acclamation establishes the liturgical pattern as a dialogue. The Eucharist is a conversation between us and God, requiring both listening and responding. The acclamation prepares us for this interaction.
The standard Anglican opening acclamation is, “Blessed be God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.” Some familiar with the 1979 Book of Common Prayer might note the inclusion of “the” before each person of the Trinity. As Bishop Eric Menees explains, this addition (“God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit”) emphasizes our personal relationship with each distinct person within the unified Trinity.
In essence, the opening acclamation is far more than a simple greeting. It’s a vibrant expression of praise, a historical link to early Christian practice, a liturgical tool for establishing dialogue, and a theological affirmation of our relationship with the Trinity.
