Introit: “Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.”
Processional All Glory, Laud and Honor Today is Palm Sunday. As with all our hymns, the words of this hymn exemplify the posture with which we should approach this feast day. All glory, laud, and honor to you, Redeemer, King! To whom the lips of children made glad hosannas ring. You are the King of Israel, and David’s royal son, Who in the Lord’s name comes now, our King and Blessed One. The people of the Hebrews with palms before you went; Our praise and prayers and anthems before you we present. As once you did accept their praise, accept the praise we bring, You who rejoice in ev’ry good, our Savior and our King. ~ Sofia Scattarreggia, soprano, and Margaret-Mary Owens, organ Psalm 22 R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? All who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: “He relied on the Lord; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he loves him.” Indeed many dogs surround me, a pack of evildoers closes in upon me; they have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones. They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. But you, O Lord, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me. I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you: “You who fear the Lord, praise him; all your descendants of Jacob, give glory to him; revere him, all you descendants of Israel!” ~ Sofia and Margaret Gospel Acclamation ~ Matt Alexander “Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.” (Phil 2:8-9) Offertory Antiphon: “My heart awaited reproach and misery; and I hoped for one that would grieve together with me, but there was none; I looked for one who would comfort me, and found no one. For food they gave me gall; in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” (Ps 68: 21-22) So quickly, the joyous atmosphere of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem turns to an atmosphere of grave desolation. So too it sometimes feels in our own lives: One moment all is going well; the next, we are on the brink of despair. Let us find strength in the knowledge that Jesus himself experienced the bleakest forsakenness. May we unite ourselves with His suffering in the knowledge of His unfathomable love for us. Communion Antiphon: “Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink it, thy will be done.” (Mt 26: 42) May we find the courage to abandon our own human will to follow the heavenly will of our Father. This is My Body We recall in particular these next few weeks the sacrifice our Lord made to free us from our own follies and weaknesses. “This is my body given for your freedom. This is my blood which was shed for all my people. Take, all, and eat, till the day of my return.” ~ Sofia and Margaret Recessional: O Sacred Head, Surrounded There is such beauty in the solemn feasts of our liturgical season, and such beauty in the hymns written to reflect their nature. This hymn is no exception, with words attributed to Bernard of Clarivaux, c 1091-1153 and harmonized by Johann Sebastian Bach in the 18th century. This hymn is almost always chosen to accompany Palm Sunday, and can be repeated through Holy Week. O sacred head, surrounded, by crown of piercing thorn! O bleeding head, so wounded, reviled and put to scorn! Our sins have marred the glory of your most holy face, Yet angel hosts adore you, and tremble as they gaze. In this, your bitter Passion, Good Shepherd, think of me With your most kind compassion, unworthy though I be: Beneath your cross abiding forever would I rest, In your dear love confiding, and with your presence blest. ~ Sofia and Margaret
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |