The Concept of Sacramental Goods: Addressing Veblen's Critique of Liturgy

Abstract

Liturgy invites participants to partake in spiritual goods that are also economic commodities. This article explores the liturgical significance of these commodities through the lens of Veblenian thought. Thorstein Veblen argues that consumption of positional or inherently limited goods signifies predatory status, and that liturgy similarly uses such resources to depict God as a predator. Addressing Veblen's analysis of liturgy, Paul's explanation of the eucharist in 1 Corinthians 11 suggests that the goods of liturgy are the antitheses of positional goods, insofar as they attain their highest goodness when shared equitably. Such “sacramental goods” provide a means for viewing divine participation not only in the liturgy, but also in the broader economy. Selected implications follow, including a need to orient the aesthetics of the liturgy toward shared rather than limited goodness, and cautious employment of consumerist emblems in liturgical settings.