Meter is 87.87.887. While originally written with the melody "Es ist das Heil uns kommen her" in mind, I think it is safe to say that most Roman Catholics would go "Huh?" and pass this text by. However, there is another tune of this meter, found in Worship III: "Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr," which is given to the metricized text of the Gloria in Excelsis, "All Glory Be to God on High," #527.
A farmer went out to his field
And scattered seed for sowing;
Part fell on parths, devoured by birds;
And some in thorns were going.
Some fell upon the rocky ground,
But some a fertile home had found
To spring up, lush and growing.
The Word of God comes forth to us
As falls the rain from heaven,
As seed is sown by farmer's hand,
And for our life is given.
The Spirit, working deep within,
Who gives us grace to know our sin,
Will move us into freedom.
Let us this message mark and hear,
That we may know its treasure
And, living lives transformed by Christ,
Await in fullest measure
The glory that we know shall be
Revealed for all eternity
To us as sons and daughters.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Commentary: 14 OT A
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, A
Zechariah 9: 9-10
Psalm 145
Romans 8: 9, 11-13
Matthew 11: 25-30
The connection of the readings is in the humility of God’s Messiah. The First Reading is a song of praise from the book of the prophet Zechariah, often associated with Passion Sunday/Palm Sunday: “See, your king shall come to you—a just savior is He, meek (humble), and riding on an ass.” The Responsorial Psalm praises the coming king, “I will praise Your Name, my King and my God!” and, in the second stanza, makes a connection with the Gospel: “The Lord is good to all, and compassionate toward all His works.” The Gospel has Jesus’ invitation: “Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take My yoke upon your shoulders and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” An anonymous sermon from the 4th century says: “God is humble, and we are proud! The judge is gentle; the criminal, arrogant! The potter speaks in a lowered voice; the clay discourses in the tones of a king! ‘Come, learn from Me, for I am gentle andhumble of heart.” I am the Creator, and I love My work. I am the sculptor, and I care for what I have made. If I thought of My dignity, I should not rescue fallen humanity. If I failed to treat its incurable sickness with fitting remedies, it would die. If I did nothing but threaten, it would perish. This is why I apply the salve of kindness to it where it lies…I am glorified on high, but because I am long-suffering I am not angry with you, for ‘I am gentle and humble in heart.’” (Homily on St. Bassos)
The in-course reading from Romans continues today. Paul tells us, “You are not in the flesh; you are in the spirit.” What is being opposed here? When Paul speaks of “flesh,” he refers to humanity before its redemption in Christ—all of it: body, soul, mind, which has suffered from the fall. “Spirit,” for Paul in this context, is humanity redeemed, reborn in water and the Holy Spirit of God.
You can hear an anthem based on the Gospel Reading---"Come To Me, O Weary Traveler"---on the compact disc "Music for the Year of Matthew," sung by the Schola Cantorum of St. Peter's in the Loop, available from The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN (www.litpress.org).
Zechariah 9: 9-10
Psalm 145
Romans 8: 9, 11-13
Matthew 11: 25-30
The connection of the readings is in the humility of God’s Messiah. The First Reading is a song of praise from the book of the prophet Zechariah, often associated with Passion Sunday/Palm Sunday: “See, your king shall come to you—a just savior is He, meek (humble), and riding on an ass.” The Responsorial Psalm praises the coming king, “I will praise Your Name, my King and my God!” and, in the second stanza, makes a connection with the Gospel: “The Lord is good to all, and compassionate toward all His works.” The Gospel has Jesus’ invitation: “Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take My yoke upon your shoulders and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” An anonymous sermon from the 4th century says: “God is humble, and we are proud! The judge is gentle; the criminal, arrogant! The potter speaks in a lowered voice; the clay discourses in the tones of a king! ‘Come, learn from Me, for I am gentle andhumble of heart.” I am the Creator, and I love My work. I am the sculptor, and I care for what I have made. If I thought of My dignity, I should not rescue fallen humanity. If I failed to treat its incurable sickness with fitting remedies, it would die. If I did nothing but threaten, it would perish. This is why I apply the salve of kindness to it where it lies…I am glorified on high, but because I am long-suffering I am not angry with you, for ‘I am gentle and humble in heart.’” (Homily on St. Bassos)
The in-course reading from Romans continues today. Paul tells us, “You are not in the flesh; you are in the spirit.” What is being opposed here? When Paul speaks of “flesh,” he refers to humanity before its redemption in Christ—all of it: body, soul, mind, which has suffered from the fall. “Spirit,” for Paul in this context, is humanity redeemed, reborn in water and the Holy Spirit of God.
You can hear an anthem based on the Gospel Reading---"Come To Me, O Weary Traveler"---on the compact disc "Music for the Year of Matthew," sung by the Schola Cantorum of St. Peter's in the Loop, available from The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN (www.litpress.org).
Hymn: 14 OT A
Readings for this Sunday: Zechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11;25-30.
Meter for hymn: 87.87. D; suggested tune, Hyfrydol (found in Worship III as "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! at #737).
Shout for joy, O daughter ZIon!
See, your King now comes to you--
Meek and lowly, scorning terror,
Bringing peace and comfort true.
Hear the voice of Jesus, off'ring:
"Come, you weary, find your rest;
'Neath my gentle yoke of mercy
Burdened souls will each be blest."
We are debtors, then, my brothers;
Sisters, we owe all to Christ
Who will raise our mortal bodies
Through His death, beyond all price.
Filled with Jesus' Holy Spirit,
We re freed our lives to give
And in ways of faithful service
Day by day to fully live.
Meter for hymn: 87.87. D; suggested tune, Hyfrydol (found in Worship III as "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! at #737).
Shout for joy, O daughter ZIon!
See, your King now comes to you--
Meek and lowly, scorning terror,
Bringing peace and comfort true.
Hear the voice of Jesus, off'ring:
"Come, you weary, find your rest;
'Neath my gentle yoke of mercy
Burdened souls will each be blest."
We are debtors, then, my brothers;
Sisters, we owe all to Christ
Who will raise our mortal bodies
Through His death, beyond all price.
Filled with Jesus' Holy Spirit,
We re freed our lives to give
And in ways of faithful service
Day by day to fully live.
Hymn: Ss. Peter and Paul (Jun. 29)
My original hymn for this feast, "Let us now with crowns of praises" was based on the stichera (i.e., office hymnody) for this feast in the Byzantine rite. It belongs to a complete set of texts for fixed feasts (i.e., attached to a specific date in the civil year) which is owned and copyrighted by World Library Publications, Franklin Park, IL. If you are interested in that specific text (which is sung to the melody, Ode to Joy), you can contact me at chantermt@yahoo.com and I will let you know how to access it.
The readings for this feast are Acts 12: 1-11; II Timothy 4:6-8,17-18; and Matthew 16: 13-39, with the Responsorial Psalm being Ps. 34.
This hymn text is newly composed in 2008, and is more reflective of these readings from the Roman Rite for the Eucharist on this day. The meter is 86.86.D, and is intended to be sung to the melody "Kingsfold."
When Herod moved against the Church, he killed James out of spite,
And then thrust Peter into jail, all compassed round with might.
But God dispatched His angel strong, who freed him from his chain,
Restoring him to friends' embrace, who sadly thought him slain.
On Peter's strong confession made of God's Messiah true,
The Lord has built His Church, and naught against it can death do!
"I give to you the kingdom's keys, with pow'r to loose and bind;
The power to remit men's sin is in those keys entwined."
In Paul's own words, "I've run the race, the good fight I have fought;
Now God, the just judge of us all, will give the crown I've sought.
Through God, the preaching task was giv'n and His grace will complete
The work at hand, and then will bring me to His mercy-seat."
The Church, well-built upon this Rock, and taught by these two men
Will yearly come to give You thanks and raise this hymn again:
To Father, Son, and Spirit, God, whom angels all adore,
With Peter, Paul, and all the saints we worship evermore.
The readings for this feast are Acts 12: 1-11; II Timothy 4:6-8,17-18; and Matthew 16: 13-39, with the Responsorial Psalm being Ps. 34.
This hymn text is newly composed in 2008, and is more reflective of these readings from the Roman Rite for the Eucharist on this day. The meter is 86.86.D, and is intended to be sung to the melody "Kingsfold."
When Herod moved against the Church, he killed James out of spite,
And then thrust Peter into jail, all compassed round with might.
But God dispatched His angel strong, who freed him from his chain,
Restoring him to friends' embrace, who sadly thought him slain.
On Peter's strong confession made of God's Messiah true,
The Lord has built His Church, and naught against it can death do!
"I give to you the kingdom's keys, with pow'r to loose and bind;
The power to remit men's sin is in those keys entwined."
In Paul's own words, "I've run the race, the good fight I have fought;
Now God, the just judge of us all, will give the crown I've sought.
Through God, the preaching task was giv'n and His grace will complete
The work at hand, and then will bring me to His mercy-seat."
The Church, well-built upon this Rock, and taught by these two men
Will yearly come to give You thanks and raise this hymn again:
To Father, Son, and Spirit, God, whom angels all adore,
With Peter, Paul, and all the saints we worship evermore.
Commentary: Ss Peter and Paul Vigil (Jun. 28)
The Introit for the vigil Mass is taken from the Gospel of that Mass: John 21:18-19. "The Lord said to Peter, 'When you were young you girded yourself and walked where you would. But when you are old you will stretch forth your hands, and another will gird you and lead you where you would not.' Now this He said to signify by what manner of death he [i.e., Peter] would glorify God." The psalm verse is Ps. 19:1--"The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament proclaims His handiwork." This is the psalm that, in both East and West, is always connected with the Apostles and their work of preaching the Good News.
The Communion Antiphon is taken from the Gospel of the Day, John 21:15,17: "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these do?" Lord, You know all things; You know, Lord, that I love You."
Two of the three readings are about Peter: the First Reading (Acts 3:1-10) and the Gospel (John 21: 15-19). The Second Reading is Paul's own words, describing his work and his calling (Galatians 11:11-20).
The Communion Antiphon is taken from the Gospel of the Day, John 21:15,17: "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these do?" Lord, You know all things; You know, Lord, that I love You."
Two of the three readings are about Peter: the First Reading (Acts 3:1-10) and the Gospel (John 21: 15-19). The Second Reading is Paul's own words, describing his work and his calling (Galatians 11:11-20).
Hymn: Vigil of Ss. Peter and Paul (Jun. 28)
Coming to the temple precincts,
John and Peter meant to pray.
There they met a crippled beggar,
Who sought alms from them that day.
"I have neither gold nor silver;
What I have, though, take from me:
In the Name of Jesus, brother,
Rise and walk and be made free!"
Peter, questioned by his Master,
Spoke three times of love so strong.
In response the Lord commanded,
"Feed My sheep your whole life long."
And He added, "Once you wandered
As you pleased, unbound and free;
Once you're older, you'll be captured,
Fettered, bound; still, follow Me!"
The Good News told by th'Apostles
Does not come from human speech,
But directly from Christ Jesus,
Who commanded them to preach!
Paul, who once the Faith had hated,
Called by God to know His Son,
Then became the greatest teacher,
Praising Christ for souls he'd won.
Glory now to God the Father,
Who from mother's womb has sought;
Glory now to Christ our Savior,
Who our souls in ransom bought;
Glory now to Holy Spirit,
In whose grace we daily live;
For th'Apostles and their message
Daily thanks and praise we give!
John and Peter meant to pray.
There they met a crippled beggar,
Who sought alms from them that day.
"I have neither gold nor silver;
What I have, though, take from me:
In the Name of Jesus, brother,
Rise and walk and be made free!"
Peter, questioned by his Master,
Spoke three times of love so strong.
In response the Lord commanded,
"Feed My sheep your whole life long."
And He added, "Once you wandered
As you pleased, unbound and free;
Once you're older, you'll be captured,
Fettered, bound; still, follow Me!"
The Good News told by th'Apostles
Does not come from human speech,
But directly from Christ Jesus,
Who commanded them to preach!
Paul, who once the Faith had hated,
Called by God to know His Son,
Then became the greatest teacher,
Praising Christ for souls he'd won.
Glory now to God the Father,
Who from mother's womb has sought;
Glory now to Christ our Savior,
Who our souls in ransom bought;
Glory now to Holy Spirit,
In whose grace we daily live;
For th'Apostles and their message
Daily thanks and praise we give!
Commentary: Nativity of St. John Baptist (Jun. 24)
The Introit for today's solemnity is taken from the text of today's First Reading: Isaiah 49, 1-2: "From my mother's womb, the Lord called me by my name, and he made my mouth like a sharpened sword; he concealed me in the shadow of his arm, and made me a chosen arrow." The antiphon is sung with the first verses of Psalm 91, "It is good to give thanks to the Lord; to sing praise to your Name, O Most High."
[Side comment: This text is from the "Roman Gradual," which gives the text and music for the Eucharistic celebrations according to the Roman Rite. It is NOT the same text as the one given at 'Introductory Rites' in the Sacramentary, which is a conflation of John 1:6-7 and Luke 1:17---There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came to bear witness to the Light, to prepare an upright people for the Lord."]
The Communion Antiphon from the "Roman Gradual"is taken from the Gospel of the Day, Luke 1:76, which sings: "You, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you shall go befor the face of the Lord to prepare His way."
[Side comment: This text is from the "Roman Gradual," which gives the text and music for the Eucharistic celebrations according to the Roman Rite. It is NOT the same text as the one given at 'Introductory Rites' in the Sacramentary, which is a conflation of John 1:6-7 and Luke 1:17---There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came to bear witness to the Light, to prepare an upright people for the Lord."]
The Communion Antiphon from the "Roman Gradual"is taken from the Gospel of the Day, Luke 1:76, which sings: "You, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you shall go befor the face of the Lord to prepare His way."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)