How To Pray the Mass, Part 5: Alleluia
The “Battle Cry” of God’s People
After a few weeks’ hiatus, we return with the next installment of our series on praying the Mass! This time, we will focus on a small but powerful part of the Liturgy of the Word: the Alleluia.
Most people - Catholics and non-Catholics alike - are very familiar with the word “alleluia.” It is used in all sorts of contexts, sacred and secular, as an outburst of joy and celebration. However, fewer people, including Catholics, know the actual meaning of the word.
Alleluia (or, as it would be in the original language, “Hallelujah”) is a Hebrew term formed from two other words: hallel (praise) and Yah (a shorthand for YHWH, the Divine Name, usually translated into English as “LORD”). So Hallelujah literally means Praise the LORD!
When the Israelite armies would march against their enemies in the Old Testament, this word was their battle cry. They thus showed that the LORD was the One to Whom they looked for victory and salvation - the LORD Whose Presence often accompanied them into battle by means of the Ark of the Covenant. This method may sound counterintuitive, but as the historical books of the Bible make clear, it is a recipe for success!
“Do not fear, do not fear; the Lord will fight for us. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. The devil trembles at the Alleluia, a word come from paradise.”
As members of the Church Militant, we are called to wage a spiritual battle for our own souls and those of others. For the people of God engaged in this age-old struggle, our most powerful “weapon” is not force of arms, but the praise of God Almighty. By rendering all glory to Him, we show our trust that He will fight our battles for us … and nothing touches the Heart of God like this “reckless” trust! Do we have this same attitude when we sing the Alleluia during Mass?
Moreover, “Alleluia” is not simply the song of the earthly people of God. A quick survey of the Book of Revelation will show that the Church Triumphant makes Heaven itself resound with this cry of praise and trust. What an awesome thought - at this moment in the Liturgy, we are united with all the angelic choirs, with our brothers and sisters the Saints, and indeed with all creation, in praising our infinitely Good and Glorious God!
“Let us then sing in company of the Blessed Citizens: Alleluia! Praise the Lord! Oh! what a victorious word that is! This is the song of praise sung by the victorious citizens of paradise.
Alleluia is not a sound found on earth; it is a hymn of paradise. To sing it one needs to be despoiled of one’s old self and clothed with the new self, who is Jesus Christ, that is adorned with the holy virtues, for the acquiring of which our great and victorious Captain Jesus Christ paved the way.
To Him we sing Alleluia forever.”
