A Journey through the Mass
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When the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, was caught up in prayer he said, “I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple.” Later he hears all the angels crying aloud, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts!” St. John wrote in the New Testament Book of Revelations, he had a similar vision with angels singing, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come!”
In the mass, the Sanctus (Holy) announces that we are standing before the throne of God in heaven. This means that the cross is a vision on earth of the throne of God. This hymn was sung by the people as Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem. Palm Sunday with its procession presents an evocative image of Jesus beginning the end of his mission of our salvation. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We stand as he comes to us now.
Kneeling at the end of the Sanctus represents a gesture of adoration. We are raised to heaven and the bread and wine will be changed into Christ’s Body and Blood.