The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time: The Still Small Voice part III

(Liturgical) Note:

I’ve spent the past week vacationing in New England.  It’s amazing how time away from life in New Jersey, music, work and St. Mary’s causes me to think even more about life in New Jersey, music, work and St. Mary’s. Initially, I planned a simple vacation note such as:  “Liturgical notes and Bruce will return next week.”  Instead my vacation encounters have left me with an I-phone full of thoughts, ideas and dreams too exciting to defer.

Bruce

We had just parked our car and were preparing to take our bikes to the carriage path that circles Acadia National Park.  Despite having an itinerary in hand we decided to ask a final question of a woman parked next to us. We struck gold.  Mary Ann had moved to the area about 35 years ago and often took Gus, her black lab, for walks in the park.   Mary Ann offered several tips about the park and answered multiple questions about what it’s like to leave the city and live full-time in such a rugged place.  

After about 10 minutes we thanked Mary Ann for taking the time to answer questions she has probably been asked on multiple occasions.  Her response was the big take away from our encounter:  “In light of what is going on it is important to take the time to be a little kinder to people.”

****

Bar Harbor Maine is a wonderful family friendly vacation town.  During the summer the population swells as part-time residents return, tourists drive in and cruise ships dock for the day.   Like many towns there is a shopping/dining district with a village green.  The focal point of the green is an old fashioned bandstand. 

One evening we were drawn to the green by the sound of a 20 piece brass band.  It was a slice of Americana.  We joined with people of all ages sitting on benches, lawn-chairs or grass. The music served as a soundtrack for a teenaged girl practicing walking a tight-rope using a band tied between two trees.  Most of my attention focused on a 4 year old boy who repeatedly enticed two slightly older girls into a game of chase by running around the band-stand.

On Saturday night we were drawn to the green by the glow of candlelight.  A poster board staked into the grass read:  

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” 

It was connected to other poster boards of similar quotes laid out in a circular fashion and connected by a ribbon.  I quickly realized it was a labyrinth: a form of meditative prayer with 4^th century Celtic roots. The night was planned an implemented by a local chapter of a group called “We are Indivisible.” 

****

The best of the encounters happened on Sunday morning.  I/we decided to visit a Bar Harbor Congregational church on Sunday morning.  

I am embarrassed to say that I had one big reservation:  "I want to hear a real sermon and not some congregation members recap of their mission trip to East Jabib."

Well, I heard a "real sermon"; a really really great sermon.  One of the best sermons I've heard in a long time.  A sermon so good that I hope you'll take the time and clink the link right now.

A Way Out Of No Way    

The writer and preacher was a priest nor a minister.  She is the wife of the pastor of this church; Christy Benson and I thank her for sharing this with me.

*****

What impressed me about these encounters was that they were respectful of those who would disagree.  While they challenged actions, policies and statements there was no disrespect of individuals, government officials or the government itself.  They were quiet and gentle yet persistent and persuasive like the still small voice that the prophet Elijah recognized as the presence of the Lord.  (1 Kings 19:12)

If you are interested in getting involved in the area of social justice or just interested in getting involved at St. Mary’s send me an e-mail at b.mauro1@yahoo.com, see a staff member or call the office at (973) 235-1100.

Excited to be back making music at St. Mary’s,

Bruce

This week’s music

Entrance                    How Firm a Foundation                    #714

Offertory                    Day of Peace                                      #523

Communion               We Remember, We Believe              in bulletin

Recessional                The Church’s One Foundation        #418

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time How Firm a Foundation

“How Firm a Foundation, 

you Saints of the Lord, 

is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!”

                                                                  

                                  From the hymn in Rippon’s “A selection of Hymns”

    What is the first song at mass called?                                                                                 

 Is it an entrance hymn?  An opening hymn?  A gathering song?         A Processional? 

    What is its' function? 

To signify the beginning of mass?  To unite the people in sung 

prayer? Traveling music for the priests and ministers?

     

While we're at it.....

    What should one do in preparing for mass?

Now if I were writing to a group of church musicians I’d receive a deluge of comments and arguments for simply posing these questions.  Perhaps you are formulating a few for yourself.  One caveat before you read on; my purpose is neither to criticize complain nor tell you you how to spend your time in church before the mass begins.*  I offer these thoughts simply for your consideration.

Today’s first hymn; “How Firm a Foundation” (#715) might point us in the right direction.  Consider Peter trying to imitate Jesus by walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee.  He steps out of the boat promptly sinks like a rock.  Maybe that’s why Jesus called him “The rock on which I will build my church.” (Just a little scriptural humor.)  Peter is saved when he takes the hands of Jesus; his firm foundation).   Take a moment and think how today’s other hymns might connect to this scripture.

In addition to this our first hymn serves as the foundation of our participation at Sunday liturgy by helping us transition from :   

·      

        daily stresses (i.e. the house chores, getting our kids and 

        ourselves up and ready for mass etc.) to worship.

·      

      private devotion (i.e. meditation, quiet prayer, the rosary etc.), to 

      communal worship.

Take a moment today to consider how participating in our gathering might gently lead us towards meeting Christ in Word, Sacrament and in the faithful gathered.

Blessed to be serving at St. Mary’s,

Bruce

*   I would, however, argue that it is hard to fully participate in 

     anything without adequate preparation.   

    (Oops, did I say that out loud?  J)

p.s.

Please welcome Tricia Blanchard, the director of music at Vincent United Methodist Church who will be playing the organ and piano on Saturday night. 

           This weekend’s music

Gathering                  How Firm a Foundation  #715

Offertory                   Precious Lord,  Take My Hand 685

Communion              We Remember, We Believe (bulletin)

Recessional                Stand By Me #631

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like....

The Kingdom of heaven is like…..

Today we will hear more examples of Jesus teaching about the Kingdom of heaven.   Matthew’s gospel is once again paired with readings that describe the King.  Last week the Book of Wisdom described a heavenly king who’s might is a source of justice and who judges with clemency.  Today’s reading from the Book of Kings describes an earthly king; Solomon.  You will notice similarities between these as the writer of the Book of Wisdom drew upon his knowledge of Solomon to describe the heavenly king.   

Note:  While we as Christians, acclaim Christ as King; the Book of Wisdom and Kings were written before Christ’s birth.

The word wisdom is virtually synonymous with Solomon.  Today’s reading from the Book of Kings is one major source of this association.  Instead of asking for riches and power, Solomon asks God for an understanding heart to judge God’s people and know right from wrong.  

The text of today’s gathering song “Holy Wisdom, Lamp of Learning” (#520) puts a similar desire for God’s wisdom on our lips and in our hearts.  The title contains just 2 of the names for God of the composer; Ruth Duck.  

Ruth Duck is professor of worship at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where she has been on the faculty since 1989.  She was president of the North American Academy of Liturgy, an organization of liturgical scholars.  She has written numerous books and articles about Christian worship.  Her hymns are included in the hymnals of 14 different denominations.

I had originally planned to use Holy Wisdom, Lamp of Learning as our recessional hymn but changed my mind.  It is exactly what a gathering hymn needs to be:  a gateway to meeting God in Word and Sacrament.  I was also concerned that if left to the recessional hymn this essential text might go unsung and unnoticed.  

By no means am I denigrating our recessional song “A Rightful Place” a contemporary composition by Steve Angrisano based on the confessions of St. Augustine.  Steve is  also the co-composer (along with Sarah Hart) of today’s communion song; We Remember, We Believe.

Blessed to be serving at St. Mary’s,

Bruce 

Today’s Music Selections

Gathering            Holy Wisdom, Lamp of Learning      #520

Offertory             Amazing Grace   #431

Communion        We Remember, We Believe            In bulletin

Recessional        A Rightful Place                                 #632

16th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Today we hear three parables from the 13^th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel.  Last week we heard the first of these:  The Parable of the Sower.   Be sure to read the entire portion of today’s reading as you may only hear the short version at mass.  The agricultural metaphor Jesus used was readily understood by his listener.  Some of its impact, however, may be lost on us.  Do not underestimate the impact of a poor or ruined harvest to a community in first century Palestine.  

I’ve chosen to repeat the song Parable to as a means of connecting these two weeks of hearing this portion of Matthew’s gospel.  

Fr. Albino’s homily last week brought to mind something that has been at the center of several recent conversations with friends and family.  Despite being raised in the church by parents who still attend church, many of our children no longer do so.   My take away from Fr. Albino’s words was to consider the seed planted rather than its current state of dormancy.   

Reconsider the words of Archbishop Romero's prayer: 

This is what we are about.  We plant the seeds that one day will grow.  We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise… We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.                          
                                        

Perhaps you will find the idea of allowing God to be the master builder (or in this case the master gardener) as freeing as I.

Blessed to be spending this season of my life at St. Mary’s,

Bruce

p.s.

The composer of Parable; M.D. Ridge passed away on June 5^th of this year.  Born in 1938 in New York City, Meri Dell was the daughter of a show biz couple who found her own passion in church music.  M.D. was a liturgical composer, musician, writer, and editor. For 45 years she wrote music for Catholic churches and was a pastoral musician for parishes around the country.   Her compositions will continue to bear fruit for generations to come.  

Requiescat in Pace

 

There is an appointed time for everything

     There is an appointed time for everything.

                                                Ecclesiastes 1a

Our gospel over the next two weeks comes from the thirteenth chapter of the gospel of Matthew.  The entire chapter consists of four parables.  Today, we hear the first: The Parable of the Sower.   

I've chosen the song Parable, by M.D ridge as our gathering song both this week and next.  It will create a connection between the weeks and allow you to become familiar with this very beautiful composition.  

The verses of the song speak directly to the parable of the sower.  The verses come from a familiar scripture from the Book of Ecclesiastes that we will not hear today. 

Consider the idea of everything in God's time when you hear each of today's readings proclaimed.  Think of how long a seed remains dormant in the ground before a sprout appears.  Remember that Isaiah was writing to a people who had been held captive for generations and Paul to a Christian community who thought that the second coming of Christ would occur during their lifetime but  instead faced persecution.

My hope is that these reflections and the words and music of Parable will be like the rain and snow that creates a fertile place for the Word of God for you today.

                                                            ***

This would be a great time to suggest Parable as an appropriate song for funeral liturgies.  I often add it when people choose Ecclesiastes 3 as one of the scripture readings.

Blessed to be serving at St. Mary's,

Bruce