Through the actions of the rite, the church does what the Lord did, and in doing so, she makes the Lord s act present. This re-presentation through ritual action has had ecumenical appeal. Despite the variety of liturgical practice of the eucharist due to various localities and times, Dix argued for a basic ritual pattern or shape. He investigated later liturgies and then moved to earlier liturgies to substantiate his claim. The significance of this fourfold shape was its action.
Attention is focused more on what is done than what is said.
But the meaning of the fourfold action is to be found in the eucharistic prayer which Dix says has come from the apostolic era. It is readily apparent in The Great Thanksgiving sections of the communion liturgies which contain various eucharistic prayers. Two brief examples follow. The predominant emphasis here is on our action. Yet, WOV s introductory comments regarding worship say absolutely nothing about the forgiveness of sins through the preached and sacramental Gospel, nor is there any word concerning the sinner s justification by grace through faith.