SAINT MARGARET OF SCOTLAND (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty! 

Have you ever been part of a choir? Or maybe you have joined an enthusiastic crowd in a stadium as they belted out the national anthem? It can be a rousing experience. So consider this: God has invited you to join the biggest choir ever!

Where is this choir? It’s present every time Mass is celebrated—but you might not see all the singers. The priest even mentions this choir at the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer: “With angels and archangels, with thrones and dominions, and with all the hosts and powers of heaven, we sing the hymn” of God’s glory. With them! At every single Mass, millions of saints and angels come and join us—not in silent contemplation, but in joyful songs of worship to our saving God.

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty!” (Revelation 4:8). You’ve probably sung these words hundreds of times at Mass. And yet as joyous as they are, it can be easy to gloss over them and let other concerns distract you. Maybe the petitions in the Prayer of the Faithful have caused you to start mulling over your own needs and concerns. Then, before you know it, the Eucharistic Prayer is over, and instead of being lifted into the heavens, you feel as if you’ve come farther down to earth.

It doesn’t have to be this way! All of heaven is opened to you at every single Mass. Jesus, the Lamb of God, is there. So is your heavenly Father, who is looking on you with love and joy. Your family members and ancestors who have already passed from this life in friendship with the Lord are there as well. So are Mary, Peter, John, and all the other saints and heroes of our faith. Let their prayers lift you up.

During every Mass, your church, however humble it may seem, is transformed into a gleaming sanctuary. The people around you, however imperfect they (and you) are, stand bathed in heavenly glory. If only for those few moments, let the cares of this life melt away. Lift up your heart to the Lord!

“Lord, you have always been, and you always will be, the eternal God and my heavenly Father. Praise be to you forever!”

Revelation 4:1-11
Psalm 150:1-6
Luke 19:11-28