This weekend’s opening song is a general hymn of praise to our God, after all, that’s what we gather together to do: Praise and worship our Heavenly Father. “Praise the Lord! Ye heavens adore him; Praise him angels, in the height; Sun and moon, rejoice be-fore him; praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise the Lord! For he has spoken; worlds his mighty voice obeyed; laws which never shall be broken for their guidance he has made.” (Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens; tune: Hymn to Joy, Ludwig van Beethoven) Random trivia question: ‘Hymn to Joy’ is originally part of which work by Beethoven?
In today’s Gospel, we are again reminded of God’s generosity in offering eternal life to all of us – it is up to each of us to accept it.
By responding yes to Him, and then not acting upon it does us no good. Our actions are what will lead us to eternal life. Our song at Communion gives us many examples of what we can do to make it there. The song is based on the Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12):
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
May we go out into the world this week, choosing to say ‘yes’
to Christ, and showing it in all that we do, singing “We are Called” (©1988, GIA Publications, Inc. David Haas)
We are called to act with justice, we are called to love tenderly,
We are called to serve one another; to walk humbly with God.
At the 11AM Mass this weekend, Archbishop Naumann will be installing Fr. Greg Hammes as pastor at Prince of Peace. This
Mass will be live-streamed. More information on this rite can be found on the last pages of the liturgy guide for this weekend – check it out!
This week’s Gospel also ties in closely to stewardship in our parish and community. Have you responded yet? How are you working to bring about the Kingdom of heaven? Trivia answer is the 9th Symphony.