Fifth Sunday in Lent March 21
Introit “Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly nation; from wicked and deceitful men deliver me, for you are my God and my strength. V. Send forth your light and your truth these have led me and brought me to your holy mountain and to your dwelling place.” (Ps 42:1-3) In a world where God often seems distant, let us speak God’s truth with great confidence, fearing not the judgment of human beings but trusting in God’s promise of salvation. Processional From Ashes to the Living Font For five of the six weeks of Lent, we sing this hymn as we transition from preparation to celebration. The third stanza of this hymn changes with each week, reflecting this liturgical and spiritual journey. This week’s stanza is: Unless, like grains of wheat, we fall Upon the ground to die, We will not rise, with you, to life: Eternal life on high. ~ Sofia Scattarreggia, soprano, and Margaret-Mary Owens, organ Psalm 51 R. Create a clean heart in me, O God Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sing cleanse me. A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you. ~ Sofia and Margaret Gospel Acclamation ~ Matt Alexander “Whoever serves me must follow me, says the Lord; and where I am, there also will my servant be.” (Jn 12:26) Offertory Antiphon: “I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart; deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and observe your word; revive me according to your word, O Lord.” (Ps 118: 7, 10, 17, 25) This setting of our Offertory Antiphon by Palestrina seems too joyous for the Fifth Sunday of Lent! But already we anticipate the joy of Easter, and we rejoice in God’s invitation to serve Him wholeheartedly and without reservation. Like Christ, may we be prepared to suffer in His name while on this earth, anticipating the day when we will be with Him in heaven. Panis Angelicus, Cesar Franck May the Bread of Angels Become bread for mankind; The Bread of Heaven puts All foreshadowings to an end; Oh, thing miraculous! The body of the Lord will nourish the poor, the poor, the servile, and the humble. ~ Sofia and Margaret Communion Antiphon: “If a man would serve me, let him follow me; wherever I am, my servant will be there too.” (Jn 12: 26) Again and again throughout today’s liturgy we hear Christ’s repeated exhortation, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.” We must be with Jesus no matter what, and we must be willing to suffer with Him. When we suffer even the littlest things, may we remember to unite our sufferings with Jesus’ sufferings on the Cross. Gift of Finest Wheat Today’s Gospel uses the well-known metaphor of grains of wheat to represent our spiritual lives. Our hymn uses the imagery of wheat to represent God’s mercy towards us. This valuable grain today continues to feed many millions of hungry mouths, just as God feeds millions of souls with His Word, and with the Eucharist of the Mass. And remember, just as wheat was a metaphor for something far greater in the Gospel, so is wheat just our perception of the Body and Blood, truly present when we come to receive. ~ Sofia and Margaret Recessional ‘Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here “‘Tis good, Lord, to be here! Your glory fills the night; Your face and garments, like the sun, Shine with unborrowed light.” ~ Sofia and Margaret
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |