TE DEUM For the next four weeks, I will be offering a reflection on the “Te Deum”, prayed each Sunday with the Office of Readings. This week’s reflection is on the first strophe.
You are God: we praise you; You are the Lord: we acclaim you; You are the eternal Father; All creation worships you.
In the words of these opening lines of the “Te Deum”, we acknowledge our God as Lord of not only our lives, but of all creation. Therefore, we give God the glory at all times for our salvation depends on God, and God alone. At three of the six Masses this weekend, “Creator of the Stars of Night” will be sung. The fourth verse of this ancient hymn says, “At your great Name, O Jesus now All knees must bend, all hearts must bow: All things on earth with one accord, Like those in heaven shall call you, Lord.” This acknowledgement is so important. By acknowledging God, we take a leap of faith. By acknowledging God, we have hope and by acknowledging God, we experience love.
So too, on this Gaudete Sunday, we acknowledge God and we rejoice as God draws ever nearer. The words of these opening lines of the “Te Deum” are appropriate for this weekend and every week of the liturgical year. As the entrance antiphon to Mass on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, reads from Philippians 4:4-5, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.” At most Masses in the Cathedral this weekend, we will be sent forth with the first verse of the hymn, “Lift Up Ye Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” by George Weissel (1590-1635). The message of the first verse instructs, “Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates; Behold King of glory waits! The King of kings is drawing near; The Savior of the world is here.”
By uttering the opening lines of the “Te Deum” and praying them often during these short Advent days, we will be more prepared for the great Christmas feast to come as we in turn await the Lord’s coming at the end of time!