Fr. Karl's Corner
In the time of Jesus, contagious diseases were common and feared. Diseases like measles, chicken and small pox could be visibly seen. The only way to avoid that disease was to have had it or to avoid it. The skin disease that was called ‘leprosy’ in the time of Jesus was very visible. It was a repulsive, scaly condition that modern medicine would more properly call “psoriasis.” From the time of the Book of Leviticus afterwards, such a person was to be banned from not just his community but from even his family, and live outside the camp. The “lepers” were then lone-wolves or had to be in groups to sustain themselves.
Jesus today has no fear of this man or his disease, even touching the man, which made Jesus ritually “unclean.” Jesus was willing to do that and as we see in the rest of his life, Jesus spares not his energy, his reputation, not even his life so that he might heal. The last and greatest healing of the Lord Jesus was to go through death and conquer that enemy by his own resurrection.
New Roman Missal
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is the cry of the angels around the throne of the glorified Lamb of God. The Heavenly Liturgy is revealed to us by the visions in the Book of Revelation 4:8; 5:9;7:9-11; 11:17; 15:3-4; 19: 1-10. God is constantly being praised for creation, the incarnation, the victory of the Lamb, for salvation in Christ, for God’s justice and yet God’s compassion upon all creation. (Ps. 103)
The New Roman Missal changes the acclamation we sing from God of Power and Might –a general phrase--into Lord God of Hosts( in Hebrew Sabaoth). Why? The wandering tribes of Israel had to fight to gain or regain their grazing lands and water rights. From Moses on, these tribes had many experiences of their small forces defeating larger ones. Obviously God was fighting for them with invisible power, namely the angels. Thus Lord, God Sabaoth, translates more accurately to Lord, God of Hosts (the Heavenly Army) who fights with and for us. This is a frequent phrase in the Hebrew Scriptures especially the Psalms. God of Hosts is being re-introduced to us by the new missal. As we learn this new melody, let us be reminded that we joined the entire citizenry of heaven as we celebrate the glory of the Lord God of Hosts.
Click here for a history of the Novena of Grace.
