Gloria part 1 About the Mass Series Vol 2

  Welcome to my new series called ' About the Mass Series Volume 2-New Translation'

 

I started this Series back in 2012 and now in 2019, restart the series.

 Why did I start the series in the first place? I had already written a series called About the Mass which explained in detail each element of the Mass.  So why Volume 2?  Let me explain.

In the English-speaking world from First Sunday of Advent 2010, the words said at Mass changed. In some parts, there were significant changes, whilst in others, it may be a word or two. What is important for us to remember is the Mass is the same.  We may wish to reflect on what the Mass is and why we attend Mass.  

I wish to take up this series again not only because it was incomplete but now that time has elapsed and we are used to the New translation for a number of years now, I think it is good to review these changes to make us more aware and more appreciative of the Mass. Understanding some of those changes and why they were made may deepen our knowledge about the Mass but more importantly, deepen our love for the Mass.

Here is the link to the first post of this new series ‘’About the Mass Volume 2- New Translation’’. ‘You may wish to review the 12 posts in this series before following along with its continuation IN 2019.

THE 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 Gloria New translation-..stay tuned.