Hymn: 24th Sun. OT A

In anger, hate is hiding,

Yet witless sinner hugs it tight.

Unless we are forgiving,

We cannot walk in mercy's light.

Forgive your neighbor's sinning

And then, when you will pray,

Your own sin will be pardoned,

Blocked out by healing ray.

Reflect on God's commandment,

Be sparing in your way,

And then your ev'ry action

Is worthy of the day.



"Lord, when my brother wrongs me,

How many times must I forgive?"

Thus Peter asked for guidance,

And Jesus said, "If you would live,'

Forgive the wrong that's done you

For thus does God treat all

Who stray and ask forgiveness,

Responding to love's call.

Be not like unjust servants

Who, when their debts are freed,

Turn on their fellow-debtors,

Not granting what they need.



We are not our own master,

Not when we live or when we die;

We die as Jesus' servants,

Live in His mercy's rich supply.

In life and death we always

Belong to Christ our Lord,

Whose death and resurrection

Eternal life afford;

To all who heed His promise,

Christ gives the Spirit's grace

That we, our sins forgiven,

May safely run the race.



This was written when I was working at St. Peter's in the Loop, and frankly was intended to be sung by the Schola. It was written to:



P.M. (in case you've never seen this, it means "peculiar meter." Honestly! )

tune: Nun lob, mein Seel'

If you don't know this, check: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/s/msnptmak.htm



Obviously, though, most RC congregations are not going to know this tune---though you might seriously think about doing it as a choir piece...it's a great tune.



So, when I worked at St. John the Evangelist in St. John, Indiana, I rewrote the text to fit into 76.76 D:



In anger, hate is hiding,

Yet sinner hugs it tight.

Unless we are forgiving,

We'll not see heaven's light.

Forgive your neighbor's sinning

And then, when you will pray,

Your own sin will be pardoned,

Blocked out by healing ray.



"Lord, when my brother wrongs me,

How oft must I forgive?"

Thus Peter asked for guidance.

Christ said, "If you would live,

Forgive the wrong that's done you,

For thus does God treat all

Who stray and ask forgiveness,

Responding to His call.



Reflect on God's commandments;

Be sparing in your way--

And then your ev'ry action

Is worthy of the day.

Be not like unjust servants

Who, when their debts are freed,

Turn on their fellow-debtors,

Not granting what they need.



We are not our own master,

Alive or when we die.

We die as Jesus' servants,

Live as His grace supplies.

In life and death we always

Belong to Christ our Lord,

Whose death and resurrection

Eternal life afford.



76.76.D

Suggested tune: Aurelia (The Church's One Foundation)