Walking Through The Mass: The Sanctus and Benedictus

-
Rembrandt: Adoration of the Shepherds

Christmas is the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord. Every Mass announces and "enfleshes" the mystery of the Incarnation, Birth and the manifestation (Epiphany) of the Lord. In the Presence of the Saviour, we become like the shepherds, bowing and kneeling in the presence of the Word-Made-Flesh, the Saviour sent to redeem us.

Because, in every Mass, we enter into eternity with the Lord, we are also present to the entire reality of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
And (Jesus) said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Divine Worship, the Mass, begins with a Bethlehem - the Gloria, the angelic chorus heralding the Nativity of the Lord - and continues along the road to Emmaus, magnificently recapitulating salvation history. The liturgical road leads to the nexus between heaven and earth, to the very intersection of time and eternity.

Now In Flesh Appearing

The road to Emmaus along which the disciples travel with Jesus, the Mass, the breaking of bread in which the disciples awaken to Jesus Present among them, embodies the entire liturgical year.

The Sanctus, the hymn to the thrice holy God, and the Benedictus - echoing the words of our Savior (Matthew 23:39) - herald the advent of the Lord, the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

In Divine Worship, the Mass of the Ordinariate, one hears:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts,
heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Glory be to thee, O Lord most high.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Mindful we are in the presence of the Lord and about to enter into the holy of holies, the sung or spoken recitation of the Sanctus/Benedictus is accompanied by an inclination from the beginning of the Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy...) until the start of the Benedictus, at which point the Celebrant stands erect and all with him make the Sign of the Cross. The inclination at the Sanctus is an ancient gesture. The Benedictus is accompanied by the Sign of the Cross, an acknowledgement it is a text from the Holy Gospel. The text of the Sanctus recalls, too, the passage in the Book of Revelation (4:8-11) which includes a reminder of Who we creatures rightly worship or are supposed to worship.
Worthy art thou, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou didst create all things, and by thy will they existed and were created.
The Benedictus announces Jesus' triumphant arrival in Jerusalem. The Holy Ghost makes present in the Mass Jesus' Sacrifice upon Calvary. Mindful of that fact, how can we not kneel in humble adoration?

St. Matthew 21:9
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
The Benedictus announces Jesus'  return both in the Mass and at the Second Coming. For Catholics, Jesus returns every Mass, and for those with eyes of faith, He is seen when the bread and wine become His very Body and very Blood, and is held aloft by the celebrant during the consecration.

St. Matthew 23:39
For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
As we look ahead to the great feast of the Epiphany, of the solemnity of His manifestation to the gentiles, we would do well to be mindful of the other manifestations of Jesus' glory at His Baptism and at the Transfiguration.

Dr. Scott Hahn has written a fine and accessible analysis of the Book of Revelation entitled The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth.


About Dr. Hahn's book: Each time we celebrate the Mass we enter into the heavenly liturgy which is so powerfully and beautifully described in the Book of Revelation. The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth, will help you understand the Book of Revelation in light of the Mass.

Comments

Post a Comment

Your comments will be appreciated and posted if 1) they are on topic and 2) preserve decorum.

Stand by your word. Do not be anonymous. Use a pseudonym.

Popular posts from this blog

20 Additional Signs You Might Just Be In A(n) Heterodox Parish

-
Image
AI generated image. Prompt: Female minister dancing on altar with incense. The Sign of Peace becomes the Dance of Peace. The tabernacle is not anywhere to be seen. There's no business like show business like no business I know. Everything about it is appealing, everything the pastor will allow. Nowhere could you get that happy feeling when you are stealing that extra bow. Blessings of couples in irregular unions doesn't even come close to describing the oddities going on. The altar doubles as a billiard table that is used during meetings of the Knights of Columbus . Unsanctioned modifications to the Mass include they/them pronouns for God and the saints. The statues of Mary and Joseph have been replaced with Murray and Joseph. Traditional liturgical colors have been replaced with an alphabet soup of washed-out tints carefully selected by the Parish Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Council. The favoured incense is Social Justice Blend... for "High" Mass. Votive and al
Read more

You Know You're In A Progressive Catholic Parish When... .

-
Image
... you rarely (if ever) hear the following phrases. "Party like it's A.D. 1570!" "We should sing more plainchant at this parish." "I'd like to thank the choir for their sublime rendition of the Mass For Five Voices by William Byrd." "I just love the way the four torchbearers process in with such dignity." "People treat the Host like a snack. I think it's time we went back to communion on the tongue." "My entire family goes to Confession every week." "We need a central Tabernacle on the altar." "The altar servers' lace cottas are so beautiful." "I just love Father Steve's sermons about the Real Presence and living a Eucharistic life." "People are leaving in droves for Saint Pius X Parish and the reverent Mass there. Do you think we're doing something wrong here at Harvey Milk Parish?" "I'm thrilled that the design for the new church includes a choir loft.
Read more

A Meditation: Virtue Versus Hollywood Values

-
Image
Napa Institute Procession, Oct. 10, 2023 | Zach Fiedler According to Catholic Church teachings, virtue is defined as: A stable disposition of the intellect and will that governs our actions, orders our passions, and guides our conduct in accordance with reason and faith. [1,2] Virtues are habitual and firm dispositions to do good. [3] They are not just random good deeds, but a deep-rooted goodness that becomes an integral part of a person's character. [3] Virtues enable us to freely choose the right course of action and have a tendency towards what is good. [3] There are human virtues, such as the four cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. [1] These virtues order our lives in society. [6] There are also theological virtues, which raise us to a divine life, such as faith, hope, and charity. [5] The goal of virtuous living is to become like God - to grow in holiness and moral perfection. [5] Virtues are not just acquired through human effort, but also by t
Read more

That 70s Vatican Show

-
Image
Satire may be mad and anarchic, but it presupposes an admitted superiority in certain things over others; it presupposes a standard. -  G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy A poke at folk whose actions past and present could invite considerably more. (T)he real disloyalty is not speaking the truth with love. And that word “love” is not some free-floating balloon of goodwill. It’s an empty shell without the truth to fill it. In Brazil in 2013, the Holy Father encouraged young people to “make a mess.” That’s come to pass in ways surely unintended by the pope. But in the end, pastoral leaders are accountable for their words and their actions. Because, as St. Paul said so long ago, “God is not the author of confusion but of peace.” - Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., is the Archbishop emeritus of Philadelphia Afflict the comfortable; comfort the afflicted. That 70s Vatican Show , a fashion extravaganza, featured designs promoting a rabid retro vibe. Organizer Fr. James Martin SJ, taking his cue from t
Read more
Every effort is made herein this blog to conform to the teaching of the Church - Quod ubique, quod semper, quod ab omnibus creditum est. Comments are welcome.