In the church world, it's kind of a given that sometime during the Advent or Christmas season, it's kind of a given that we'll sing (or a soloist will sing) The Magnificat, the Canticle of Mary. We also sing it during evening prayer services (including, at least in the Lutheran world, during Lent as part of Marty Haugen's Holden Evening Prayer). But I've never heard it during the Triduum, The Three Days. Today, on Holy Saturday, I can't get it out of my head, nor do I want to. For me, it takes on new meaning during these Three Days, as we commemorate/celebrate the crucifixion and the resurrection. For we today already know how the story ends - we already know the Good News of the resurrection! Thus we can feel the poignancy of the passion while also recognizing it as an act of the deepest love, all in light of the hope that we feel from the resurrection. So to borrow Mary's song, originally in celebration during her pregnancy with Jesus, and sing it during this time when we expectantly wait for Easter Day, the day of the resurrection, brings a different meaning. We're not just in communion with Mary, accompanying her joy before the birth, but we are in communion with humanity, celebrating the ongoing love and hope that the passion and resurrection bring. My favorite version of the canticle is David Haas's "Holy Is Your Name" - here it is, with a few very small changes for this season: My soul is filled with joy as I sing to God my savior You have looked upon your servant, you have visited your people (And holy is your name, through all generations! Everlasting is your mercy to the people you have chosen And holy is your name) I am lowly as a child, but I know from this day forward That [your] name will be remembered, for all will call me [/you] blessed (And holy is your name, through all generations! Everlasting is your mercy to the people you have chosen And holy is your name) I proclaim the power of God, you do marvels for your servants Though you scatter the proud-hearted and destroy the might of princes (And holy is your name, through all generations! Everlasting is your mercy to the people you have chosen And holy is your name) To the hungry you give food, send the rich away empty In your mercy you are mindful of the people you have chosen (And holy is your name, through all generations! Everlasting is your mercy to the people you have chosen And holy is your name) In your love you now fulfill what you promised to your people I will praise you, Lord, my savior, everlasting is your mercy (And holy is your name, through all generations! Everlasting is your mercy to the people you have chosen And holy is your name)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
PostsHere is it, y'all: love changes things 8/7/20
Good Friday in the Midst of a Pandemic 4/10/20 Wrestling with Faithfulness and Transformation (a sermon) 10/21/19 Healing of the Outcasts (a sermon) 10/18/19 Reckon-ciliation (a poem) 7/19/19 The Road to Recovery 6/26/19 Perpetuating Sins of the Church 8/16/18 It's Tuesday and I'm Overwhelmed 5/8/18 Music is a Language 5/3/18 Skipping a Meeting 4/10/18 Spark (a poem) 4/5/18 Recovery 4/4/18 A New Old Song for Holy Saturday 3/31/18 Good Friday? 3/30/18 Who are the Leaders in Your Church? 1/2/18 |