The Gloria

The Gloria

The new words of The Gloria take us back to Scripture and to a deeper reverence of our Lord through our proclamation. 

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will."

Explanation

Here we are repeating the words of the angels at the birth of Christ joining with them in praise. We are also praying for peace for people of good will on earth to enjoy a measure of the peace that comes only from God.

Scripture Connection

"Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will,” (Luke 2:14). 

“We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you,”

Explanation

We are showing God our intense devotion to Him in these proclamations.  We recognize His greatness in our praise, His holiness in our blessing, His awesomeness in the face we hope to see one day, and desire to give Him all the glory we have in our ability. 

Scriptural Connection

“Young men and maidens: let the old with the younger, praise the name of the Lord: for His name alone is exalted,” (Psalm 148:12-13).

“…we give you thanks for your great glory,”

Explanation

We are doing more than just giving God thanks.  We recognize His great glory as God and want to live within that glory. He has given us, as a gift, a place within His glory which is beautiful and holy, not simply worldly. 

 “Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.  

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,”

Explanation

Jesus was not randomly created by the Father, but begotten by the Father.  This expresses Jesus’ divine son-ship that St. John spoke of in John 3:16.  Jesus is not the adopted son of God like we are, but the actual Son, by nature, of God. 

Scriptural Connection

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in Him, may not perish, but have eternal life,” (John 3:16).

“…you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.”

Explanation

We are addressing the same Christ John the Baptist announced to the world.  We address Him three times, following the order of the original prayer, reflecting that our prayer is to the Trinity and preparing ourselves for the Agnus Dei, when we again address Him three times. 

Scripture Connection

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).

“For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.”