Today we begin our Mass with singing a general hymn of praise: “Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens”. While the name may not be familiar, the tune should be! This tune is Hymn to Joy, or better known as Ode to Joy or Beethoven’s Joyful, Joyful tune. Beethoven composed the tune for the final, or fourth, movement of his
9th Symphony. It’s a familiar tune with different words put to it.
The opening antiphon, first reading and psalm all follow the same line of the Lord is watching over His people – He hears the cry of the poor, and lifts up “the lowly from the dust.” The second reading is from St. Paul to Timothy, and he is asking for all to pray for kings and all in authority (this is normally our second prayer during the Universal prayers at mass) so that all may “come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God... who gave himself as ransom for all.” (1 Timothy 2:4-5)
The Gospel reading is another story from Jesus about the dishonest steward. The steward is about to be fired and doesn’t have skills to do anything else, so he wants to win over his friends by reducing their debts to his master so they will like him and help him once he’s out of a job. Sounds like a pretty industrious guy. Then Jesus gets around to us. “For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.” (Luke 16:8) We are the children of light. How are we dealing with others? Are we letting Christ’s light shine in all we do? Are we being industrious with His Word?
This Gospel reading leads us directly into our song during the preparation of the gifts, “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”: “I want to walk as a child of the light;
I want to follow Jesus... I want to see the brightness of God... clear Sun of righteousness shine on my path, and show me the way to the Father.” If we follow Jesus, we will go to the Father, and as we are on the path, we will show others the way, too.
Our Communion song, “Your Words are Spirit and Life”, follows along with the Gospel passage of showing us the way to follow Jesus, the way to trusting in God’s law, the way to eternal life. “You Alone” is the second Communion song which once again calls upon God to have mercy on us and lead us to His light through love and adoration.
Our closing song sends us out to spread the Word of Life to all around us. Hearing God’s Word in Church, partaking of His Body and Blood in the Eucharist, are all great things and sustain us in His love – but we are called to do more. We are called to take His message out to all.