Did you know liturgy begins as we gather at Mass? This weekend, at most Masses, prelude music will be sung. The last line of Dan Schutte’s “These Alone are Enough” is based on “Suscipe” Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola and states, “Give me nothing more than your love and grace. These alone, O God, are enough for me. “ This is what will be sung as a prelude at most Masses. This is what we surrender to the Lord each time we gather at Mass. We acknowledge as St. Peter did in today’s gospel from St. Mark, that “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”. Actions speak louder than words. If I am to really believe this, I need to be willing to surrender. If only I can leave behind all the garbage that plagues my everyday life and live more simply, I can make more room for God and in so doing be a person who takes action. St. James in the second reading offers the challenge of working for healing and true justice. Where are you be challenged in your life to work for healing and true justice? I would like to make a conscious effort to either throw out or donate some of the items and clothing I do not use anymore. In so doing, I can become a more cheerful giver. Today as the communion procession wraps up, we will be singing John L. Bell’s “Take, O Take Me as I am”. The words are:
TAKE, O TAKE ME AS I AM; SUMMON OUT WHAT I SHALL BE; SET YOUR SEAL UPON MY HEART AND LIVE IN ME We will sing these words several times in the form of a Taizé. Reflecting on these words, several times will center our thoughts more deeply on the message contained. Here is the rest of the music for the weekend. https://bit.ly/3zuk3w7 September 11 and 12 Hymns