Holy, Holy, Holy

Homily for Wednesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

Today’s reading from the Book of Revelation is one of many visions which the sacred author recounts. It is filled with all sorts of symbolic references as he attempts to describe the throne of God.

First, we note that God’s throne is circled by twenty-four smaller thrones which represent the twelve tribes of Israel as well as the twelve apostles.

The lightning, rumbling and peals of thunder recall the various theophanies of which we read in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. Whenever God appears, whether it be a mom top a mountain or in the upper room of Jerusalem, lightning, rumbling and peals of thunder are also present.

Seven flaming torches, representing the seven spirits of God, burn in front of the throne. Scripture scholars are divided as to whether these seven torches represent the seven archangels that are mentioned in the book of Tobit or whether they represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

A sea of glass like crystal lies in front of the throne. The fact that the sea is like glass reveals that it is calm and smooth; it is not the symbol of chaos which the people of the Middle East ordinarily thought of it. God has conquered the chaos.

Next, we hear of the four living creatures, covered by eyes, front and back, which means that they know all. The first has the shape of a lion, followed by that of a calf or ox, followed by a human figure, and finally an eagle in flight. These four creatures represent the noblest, the strongest, the wisest, and the swiftest of God’s creatures. Later these four figures came to represent the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

All of the creatures, apostles, spirits, and tribes of Israel joined together in praising God with the song that we sing every day as we celebrate the great Eucharistic prayer: Holy, holy, holy. The reading tells us that praising God is the activity that goes on constantly in the great throne room of heaven.

Our response to this reading is the great “Hallel” of Psalm 150. This last of all the Psalms is regarded as a great doxology that sums up all of the prayers, laments, songs of thanksgiving, and hymns that that had preceded it in this Hebrew Psalter. Just as we usually append our doxology, the Glory Be, to the end of our prayers and to each of the Psalms that we pray in the Liturgy of the Hours, this great Psalm of praise is used today as our way of joining all of the creatures who surround God’s throne and sing God’s praises.