Sanctus Part 1

 

ABOUT THE MASS SERIES. VOL 2

The Mass: About the Mass series Vol 2 Icon.

Welcome back to my series called About the Mass Vol 2. 

I have previously written a series called ‘About the Mass’. Some of what I have written is quite relevant to this new series "' About the Mass- New Translation".  Where there are relevant parts, I will recommend it to you for your reading.  I will post once a week for over 12 months. You will find all future posts in this series in my 'Sacraments' category. I hope you will embark on this journey with me and follow the series.  'About the Mass-New Translation’ series will be divided into 8 sections namely:

1.  Introduction,
2. Overview of the New Translation: Same Mass, New Words, Deeper Meaning, Greater Love of the Mass Parts 1-5.
3. Preparation for Mass.
4. Introductory Rite
5. Liturgy of the Word
6. Liturgy of the Eucharist
7. Communion Rite
8. Concluding Rite.

Its purpose is twofold, that is,

(a) To provide a greater understanding and love of the Mass, and

(b) To provide an understanding into the changes in the New English Translation. (from 2010).

 

Now I would like to recommence the series in the 6^th section, Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Sanctus Part 1

‘Holy, Holy, Holy,

Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the Highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the Highest’.

This acclamation is best sung if possible because singing emphasises the spirit of praise.  The First half of the acclamation Holy…glory’ comes from the Book of Isaiah, (Chapter 6), whilst the second half-‘Blessed is he’… was the greeting given to Jesus by the people when He entered into Jerusalem before his suffering and death (Matthew chapter 21).The hosanna is an exclamation of joyful and trustful welcome.

As we ponder the words of this prayer, we may indeed reflect what these words mean to us on deeply personal level.

There is really only one line change to the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) which is Lord God of hosts.  Unlike the angels, we address God directly on earth and yet we join in their song. The angels know how Holy God is and so they sing to one another about the holiness of God even though they are in His presence. By joining in their song, we make a perfect hymn to praise a holy God.

In Hebrew, the word hosts appear as Sabaoth. In  Latin, the word remains the same. Sabaoth refers to God’s command over an army of angels. Hosts therefore means the angelic hosts, the invisible powers that work at God’s command. In other words, this translation to hosts emphasises the sublime power of God who has all the forces of nature under control.

REFLECTION THOUGHTS

1. ·Who is this God of hosts in our personal faith journey?
2. ·How is Heaven and earth full of glory for you?
3. ·Where are the sacred places (the ‘heaven’ on earth for you- the oasis  places)?
4.  Where do you identify earth being full of His glory?
5. ·Who are the people in your lives who are blessings for you coming in the name of the Lord to you?
6.  When Jesus comes to us (in the circumstances of our lives through  and in other people), do we joyfully welcome Him?
7.  Do we say the words without connecting with them?

 

Hopefully, these reflective thoughts may enable you to dwell prayerfully on these precious words.