Imagine a banquet more elegant than the Royal Wedding of Katherine and William, more elaborate than a state dinner at the White House, more exquisite than the most beautiful Fall day you can imagine. The banquet I speak of is that which we witness each week - the banquet of the Lord. Now imagine our priest as the host, standing at the altar of the Lord, praying at the altar, inviting us to the banquet, while a multitude of heavenly hosts hover, chanting and singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.” Who would not want to be a part of that banquet?
When we sing the “Sanctus” we join with the Church in heaven and with all creation to praise God. The angels never cease singing the Sanctus in heaven.
“In the earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the holy city of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgrims, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, minister of the holy of holies and of the true tabernacle.” (Msgr. M. Francis Mannion, priest and theologian of the Diocese of Salt Lake City from Our Sunday Visitor, August 28, 2011).
