“Even though there stand before you thousands of archangels, tens of thousands of angels, cherubim and seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, soaring aloft on their wings, singing, shouting, crying aloud, and saying the triumphal hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy…”
My heart skips every Sunday when these words are prayed during the Eucharistic prayer in the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carnegie. I look around the church building expecting to see a countless number of the Heavenly Host leading us and singing with us as we raise this triumphal hymn to the great glory of God the Father.
Imagine this Heavenly scene if you can, the cacophony of joy and praise of thousands of archangels, tens of thousands of angels, cherubim and seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, soaring aloft on their wings and saints beyond number. A tumultuous sporting event with 60,000 or more wound up fans gives a taste of this scene but even that doesn’t compare.
Above and through all this song of praise rises the great glory of God on His Throne. Ezekiel said that the brightness of the throne was the glory of the Lord. And, he fell upon his face before this glory.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory; hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest. The priest concludes by once more praising God: We also cry out with these blessed powers, O loving and kind Master, and say: Holy are you and all-holy, you and your only-begotten Son and your Holy Spirit. Holy are you and all-holy and magnificent is your glory.”
But, all of Heaven hushes when a soul bends it’s knee to seek God’s Divine Mercy. When this sinner sees its wretchedness and turns with a repentant heart to seek the forgiving arms of the Father, all Heaven silences in anticipation. As this great Ocean Of Mercy flows out and washes this soul all Heaven erupts in joyous celebration. And, the enemy flees to the deepest parts of his pit.
Every heart has the desire within to receive God’s Mercy. But, many or maybe even most nowadays don’t recognize that yearning and many fight against it. Hearts are hardening in the times in which we live. Heaven’s song of glory rings louder in the world’s silence. And, the greatest sound that can reach the ears of God is the timid cry for mercy from a sinner’s voice.
It is then, that the whole Kingdom of God can truly ring with this great hymn, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory; hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.”