Two Priests, Canticle of the Turning, Unemployment

Really, I ought to take notes during Mass, so I can get the details rights except I don't think we should be taking notes during Mass.

We had two visiting priests say Mass today. Priest A introduced himself and the other priest (Priest B). Father A said Father B is not only ordained in the Western Rite, but is also approved to say Mass in the Eastern Byzantine Rite. I wonder how he got approval. Did he attend a special training session? I wish I had asked him after Mass.

Today's recessional song was "Canticle of the Turning," which I like for it's liveliness. I'm pasting the lyrics here:

1. My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant's plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn,
So from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?

Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!

2. Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and to those who would for you yearn,
You will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn.

3. From the halls of power to the fortress tower,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
ev'ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
There are tables spread, ev'ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn.

4. Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God's mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror's crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise which holds us bound,
'Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around.

The lyrics speak to me too.


Finally, I pray to God that someone, somewhere is impressed by my resume.

“The King of glory comes, the nation rejoices”

I wish we would sing "The King of Glory" at Mass. Back in 1972-1973, we sang it A LOT at church. It is really spirited and a great summary too. It's meant to be sung loud and not slow. I'm not sure what the proper musical word is for fast or even regular speed.

So far this century, I've heard it sung once at my parish. The lead singer likes to pretend she is an opera singer and sang it s-l-o-w-l-y.

There's a line in there about visiting the cities and villages. Well, fake opera singer made the trip sound exhausting.

But back in the day, during the guitar Mass we sang with gusto. We sang it with so much gusto that it sounded like we were still rejoicing. Not only that, I felt so energized by the song that I was ready to walk to cities and villages, but I was a young child and had to stay very close to home.

I miss that song.

And I've never been to an opera, but watched a few minutes of it on t.v.I don't know how else to describe the way she sings.

I know the music people at church can't please all of the people all of the time, and we all have different tastes. Blah, blah, blah.

"The King of Glory comes, the nation rejoices

Open the gates before Him, lift up your voices.

Who is the King of Glory? How shall we call Him?

He is Emmanuel, the promise of ages.

In all of Galilee, in city or village

He goes among His people, curing their illness.

Sing then of David's Son, our Savior and Brother

In all of Galilee was never another.

He gave his life for us, the pledge of salvation,

He took upon himself the sins of the nation.

He conquered sin and death; He truly has risen.

And He will share with us His heavenly vision."

 Proper credit needs to be given to the songwriter.

First Sunday of Advent

Yesterday I passed out Advent Calendars to a group of friends at lunch. Most of them are not Christian, but readily accepted them. Do they know what Advent is? The calendar had to be explained to a few of them. However, they do celebrate Christmas. Someone suggested we do a Secret Santa, so we drew names. I am glad that Christ's name is part of Christmas. They seem to like getting into the spirit of it all. Since I made the Advent calendars, I'm glad they were happy to receive them. I like sharing the Christmas spirit with them.

The closing song at today's Mass was the rousing "City of God."