I find this to be supremely interesting. Point by point, here is a consideration of how the Mass is intended to mirror the Heavenly liturgy seen by St. John in the Book of Revelation:

Introductory Rites of the Mass:
1. Priest as the presider – “And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, one like to the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.”
2. Consecrated celibacy of priests – “These are they who were not defiled with women: for they are virgins. These follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were purchased from among men, the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.”
3. The Sign of the Cross – “And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying: Hurt not the earth nor the sea nor the trees, till we sign the servants of our God in their foreheads.”
Also, “And they shall see his face: and his name shall be on their foreheads.”
4. The Penitential Rite – “Be mindful therefore from whence you are fallen: and do penance and do the first works.” (Indeed, all of chapters 2 and 3.)
5. The Gloria – “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had overcome the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God: And singing the canticle of Moses, the servant of God, and the canticle of the Lamb, saying: Great and wonderful are your works, O Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of ages. Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and magnify your name? For you only are holy. For all nations shall come and shall adore in your sight, because your judgments are manifest.”

The Liturgy of the Word:
1. Readings – “And I saw, in the right hand of him that sat on the throne, a book, written within and without, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel, proclaiming with a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?”
2. The Alleluia – “After these things, I heard as it were the voice of much people in heaven, saying: Alleluia. Salvation and glory and power is to our God. For true and just are his judgments, who has judged the great harlot which corrupted the earth with her fornication and has revenged the blood of his servants, at her hands. And again they said: Alleluia. And her smoke ascends for ever and ever. And the four and twenty ancients and the four living creatures fell down and adored God that sits upon the throne, saying: Amen. Alleluia. And a voice came out from the throne, saying: Give praise to our God, all you his servants: and you that fear him, little and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of great thunders, saying: Alleluia: for the Lord our God, the Almighty, has reigned.”
3. Intercessory Prayer – “And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures and the four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”

Liturgy of the Eucharist:
1. The host – “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: To him that overcomes I will give the hidden manna and will give him a white counter: and in the counter, a new name written, which no man knows but he that receives it.”
2. Sanctus – “And the four living creatures had each of them six wings: and round about and within they are full of eyes. And they rested not day and night, saying: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”
3. Great Amen – “He that gives testimony of these things, says: Surely, I come quickly: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
4. Agnus Dei – “And I saw: and behold in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the ancients, a Lamb standing, as it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes: which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth”
5. Silent Adoration – “And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven, as it were for half an hour.”
6. Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel – “And there was a great battle in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought, and his angels. And they prevailed not: neither was their place found any more in heaven.”

Others:
1. Vestments – “And white robes were given to every one of them one; And it was said to them that they should rest for a little time till their fellow servants and their brethren, who are to be slain even as they, should be filled up.”
Also, “And he was clothed with a garment sprinkled with blood. And the armies that are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.”
2. Incense – “And another angel came and stood before the altar, having a golden censer: and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer of the prayers of all saints, upon the golden altar which is before the throne of God. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel. And the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar and cast it on the earth: and there were thunders and voices and lightnings and a great earthquake.”
3. The Altar – see above

Tags: Liturgy, Reflection

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