This month’s topic is An Overview of the Mass, and your September Home Lesson was all about Angels. These two topics converge very nicely in this work. This piece by Carreno gives us a glimpse of the unseen realities of each Mass as all of heaven celebrates and worships right along with us. There are so many beautiful realities portrayed here that it’s hard to know where to begin!
On an earthly level, Mass is being celebrated and the consecrated Host has just been elevated. All eyes are on Jesus! Look at the devotion and love on every single face – no one is even a tiny bit distracted or bored. They all recognize the Real Presence of their Savior in the Eucharist!
On the heavenly level, we see the same devotion as all are worshiping the three Persons of the Holy Trinity, clearly visible before them. Can your kids identify the Father, Son and Holy Spirit up there?
Now look at the space between heaven and earth; there is no clear line dividing the two. This is showing the overlap that truly exists between the two realities. We won’t typically see all the angels who are in our parish nave as Mass is being celebrated, but they are there worshiping God right along with us!
Regular Mass-goers may recognize these words: “And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise: ‘Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.'” This is your connection between the September and October lessons, and the jumping-off point for imaginative students to pay better attention every time they are at Mass. Amazing things are happening!
Such beautiful works of art! It was hard to choose just one for my prayer table. Thank you so much for having a selection to choose from!