About the Mass Series:
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Saying Mass: About the Mass Icon. |
Introductory Rite: Gloria.
The ‘Gloria’ is essentially a
hymn of praise. As the Church is assembled in the Spirit, we praise
and pray to the Father and the Lamb-Jesus. Therefore, it seems to naturally
fall into 2 parts, the first referring to the Father, and the second to
Jesus.
Key words in the Gloria
are worship, thanks and praise.
The opening words ‘Glory to God
in the highest and peace to his people on earth’ remind us of the opening
words of the angels announcing to the shepherds Christ’s birth. (Lk
2:14). The Latin for these words ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo’.Then we
acknowledge God as Father, in worship, praise and thanks.
What do these words mean to you as
you pray this wonderful hymn of praise?
Then, we acknowledge Christ as only
Son of the Father and as Lamb.
We worship, praise and thank Jesus
for dying for us-
‘You take away the sins of the
world’ and now in majesty ‘seated at the right hand of the
Father’, He is our intercessor.
Liturgically, the Gloria is said/sung
on Sundays of Ordinary times and Feast days, but it is NOT used
during Advent or Lent because these are Penitential Seasons.
The bells ringing during the Gloria on Holy Saturday add to the joy
of announcing Easter.
THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION:
·
What faith filled images come to mind
when YOU pray this hymn of praise?
·
What lines resonate with YOUR
heart?
·
How can YOU participate in this
prayer when it is sung?
St. Augustine reminds us that ‘to sing is to pray twice’
Let us be as attuned as we can to
this wonderful hymn of praise.
Next week: About the Opening Prayer-Collect.
Stay tuned.
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