Who then is this

Who then is this, that wind and sea obey?

Who is this one, who swirling storm can stay?

See how the danger now has passed away!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Who then is this, so calm amidst the waves,

Who takes his rest, while tempest ‘round him raves? 

Awake at last, with his own word he saves!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Who then is this, whom crowds have flocked to see?

This teacher, healer, from whom demons flee; 

What is his call? What can his mission be?

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

This is the Christ, the Son of God most high!

Baptized and tested, hear his calling cry:

“See how the kingdom of our God is nigh!”

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2021; after Mark 4:35-41 and earlier verses.

MUSIC: Tune SINE NOMINE, Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906.

 

 

The gospel reading for Proper 7B (fourth Sunday after Pentecost this year) culminates with this awed question from the disciples after Jesus has calmed the storm on the sea. The answer, ultimately, is found at the beginning of Mark’s gospel, where Jesus is introduced as the Son of God, where his baptism and temptation are noted, and where his proclamation of the kingdom of God is first stated.

How dear is our vacation, Lord (parody)

How dear is our vacation, Lord, when once it’s time to go!

To leave town, to evacuate, to spend our Sunday sleeping late, 

And learn the power of “no”! When can we make it so?

 

But if, forgetful, we have not made reservations yet,

If churchly pressures fray the mind and mental functions now unwind,

Then help us to reset and cast a wider net.

 

At last! The hour has finally come, the time to get away

To sandy beach or mountain mist – too many vacations to list – 

Behold vacation day! Hip-hip, hoorah, hurray!

 

And now can we luxuriate and cut loose every care?

O let our weary souls abide in rest we have too oft denied;

Lay down the weight we bear, our inward souls repair.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2021 (after “How Clear is Our Vocation, Lord”)

MUSIC: Tune REPTON, C. Hubert H. Parry, 1888.

 

 

This is a parody. That doesn’t mean it isn’t urgently serious sometimes.

When seed that is scattered

When seed that is scattered is growing and blooming

While we are at rest or at work in the day – 

First stalk and then flower, then grain in due power – 

We see how the Kingdom moves out in this way.

 

When seed of such small size spreads out and finds nurture, 

Now growing and casting its shade far and wide,

We learn how the Kingdom comes, fruitful and winsome,

With shelter for all of creation inside.

 

Now this is the kingdom of God in our living;

It flourishes even as we do not know.

Praise God, our Creator, whose giving is greater,

Whose Kingdom gives shelter to flourish and grow.

 

 

TEXT: Charies Spence Freeman, June 2021, after Mark 4:26-34.

MUSIC: Tune KREMSER, Neder-landisch Gedenck-Clanck; 1626; harm. Eduard Kremser, 1877.

 

 

The lectionary reading for Pentecost 3B offers up seed metaphors for our reflection. Somehow this time around the image of birds being able to take shelter in the shade of the mustard-seed shrub jumped out. The words of each stanza fit to the final phrase slightly differently than the usual texts paired with this tune.

God, give us grace to grieve aright

God, give us grace to grieve aright; our souls cry out in pain.

Our hearts are filled with longing for your healing touch again.

We grieve for those we’ve lost in death, from past years ‘til today. 

The gaping hole left in our hearts will never go away. 

 

God, give us grace to grieve aright; our nation bears the scar

Of lives once taken much too soon in battles near and far.

In blessed memory, let us all resolve that war shall cease,

And that our days be lived in full for justice and for peace.

 

God, give us grace to grieve aright; we reel from tragedy

For thousand thousands who have died in painful agony.

Pandemic grief, that overwhelms and numbs us to its power, 

We lay before you, gracious God, in this and every hour.

 

God, give us grace to grieve aright; even after many years,

The loss of loved ones long ago can still bring us to tears.

For grief that ever lingers on, compelling still today,

We lean upon your loving care that never goes away. 

 

God, give us grace to grieve aright, that even in times of glee,

We still may hear the anguished cries of those on bended knee

Who grieve and mourn with breaking hearts and for dear comfort plead; 

May we, who know this sorrow well, be present in their need.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2021.

MUSIC: Possible tunes:

            MOSHER, Sally Ann Morris, 1995. Copyright 1998 GIA Publications, Inc.

            SALVATION, Kentucky Harmony, 1816 (used here).

            KINGSFOLD, English Country Songs, 1893 (harm. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906).

            RESIGNATION, USA folk melody, Lewis’s Beauties of Harmony (various harmonizations).

 

 

While written on Memorial Day (which certainly provided some prompting), this hymn also touches on the post-pandemic reckoning of grief and loss as well as the more personal and lingering losses felt over great lengths of time that many of us know. It ends with a plea that we be present for those suffering sorrow, even in our own good times.

We sing of God

We sing of God, Creator High, the Sovereign on whom we rely

For life and breath and everything that makes the faithful heart to sing.

 

We sing of God, redeeming Son by whom all victory is won, 

Who showed us love and taught us prayer and charges us his truth to share.

 

We sing of God, the Spirit free, sustaining us so we might be,

From tongues like fire to wordless sighs, upheld in faith and rendered wise.

 

We sing of holy mystery, this undivided Trinity,

And praises give in everything to this one God of whom we sing.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2021.

MUSIC: Possible tunes:

            WAREHAM, William Knapp, 1738.

            WINCHESTER NEW, Musikalisches Handbuch, 1650; harm. William Henry Havergal, 1847; alt.

            TALLIS’ CANON, Thomas Tallis; adapt. Parker’s Whole Psalter, c. 1561.

A hymn for Trinity Sunday, in which for all the work of trying to say something the last thing to speak of is mystery, that is, to admit to not knowing. This seems wise for the whole doctrine of the Trinity.

See our Jesus now ascending

See our Jesus now ascending, heaven-bound for us to plead! 

Now, his earthly work completed, he for us will intercede

For our pains and for our sufferings, for our want and daily need.

 

See his body lifted upward, wounded hands and feet and side!

Every scar is now exalted, every wound is sanctified.

Crucified and then arisen, now forever glorified!

 

His disciples upward gazing, mute in wonder at the sight;

Now their Friend and true Companion from their side has taken flight.

Now his call is their commission as he takes to holy height.

 

Praise to God the great Creator; praise to God, redeeming Son;

Praise to God, sustaining Spirit, one in three and three in one.

So it was in the beginning, and shall be ‘til time is done.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2021, after Luke 24:36-53.

MUSIC: Suggested tune WESTMINSTER ABBEY, Henry Purcell, 1680; adapt. Ernest Hawkins, 1843.

 

 

So apparently, I have a thing for overlooked occasions on the liturgical calendar. After the somewhat longer struggle to complete the previous entry, “When Jesus knew his time had come,” this text fell together ridiculously fast while preparing to give a devotional on “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” as paired with WESTMINSTER ABBEY in Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal. If only either one had come together early enough to get into the recording process for the week’s service…

When Jesus knew his time had come

When Jesus knew his time had come, his followers he drew near

And gave this word to comfort them and drive away their last fear.

 

“The Holy Spirit’s guiding power will surely come upon you,

And to the world my Word you’ll take; my witness lives within you.”

 

When this he said, they watched, and lo! their Lord was lifted upward!

In holy cloud he was caught up and no more was his voice heard.

 

While this their eyes were following with wonder and amazement,

Two bright-robed men had drawn nearby to bear a witness heaven-sent: 

 

“Why do you stand here looking up? This Jesus you have witnessed

Will yet return in this same way, all sanctified and heaven-blessed.”

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2021, after Acts 1:1-11

MUSIC: Suggested tune ST. COLUMBA, Irish melody.

 

 

So Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal contains a section of hymns labeled “Ascension and Reign.” In truth, though, only one of the hymns contained therein is really about the Ascension itself. Of course that was going to provoke a hymn for Ascension.