This weekend, we have two hymns that are worth listening to and reflecting upon: “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus” (Hyfrydol) and “Here at This Table” by Janet Sullivan and Max Whitaker. These two hymns are very different in style, but both reflect on our times.
The first hymn with words by William C Dix (1837-1898) mention in the first verse,
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Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion, Thunder like a mighty flood: Jesus out of every nation Hath redeemed us by his blood.” Somehow as we ponder the senseless shooting in Las Vegas and acts of terrorism and hostility that span the globe, we can be rest-assured that Jesus is where we find everlasting peace, and he washes away the stain of these sins in His blood.
The second hymn in the second verse states:
“You with lives full of pain, you who sorrow and weep, you, beloved of Christ, come to him, come to him!” And the refrain,
“Drink of his love, wine of salvation. You shall live forever in Jesus Christ, the Lord” Common themes woven in both songs remind us to find comfort in the blessed Sacrament, in the Eucharistic feast that we are invited to partake in each week, and even daily, if we so desire.
The word of the prophet Isaiah from the first Reading from this Sunday’s readings states,
“On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken.” In God is our hope. In God is our trust.