Our entrance antiphon this week is taken from the Book of Esther and proclaims: “For you have made all things, the heaven and the earth, and all that is held within the circle of heaven; you are the Lord of all.” It is from this Bible verse that I chose our opening song, “I Sing the Mighty Power of God”. The text for this song:
I sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise;
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at his command, and all the stars obey.
We hear a lot about faith today in the readings. In the Old Testament, we hear that “the just one, because of his faith, shall live.” (Habakkuk 2:4) In the New Testament, St. Paul tells us “Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.” (2 Timothy 1: 13-14) Jesus tells us in the Gospel passage: “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (Luke 17:6)
In response to these readings and the opening antiphon, we sing songs that encircle these ideas.
“Speak, Lord” at the presentation of gifts revolves around presenting ourselves to God in faith, knowing His strength and power, and giving ourselves over to His will to lead us in the right path.
My heart is silent, Lord. My soul is still, waiting upon your voice. Tell me your will.
Empty, I place myself before your face. Touch me now in the silence of faith.
“One Love Released” at Communion speaks of the teachings of Christ to live in Him and we’ll become “one bread, one body [and] one faith, one Spirit present in us all.” It also references the Communion Antiphon: “Though many, we are one bread, one body, for we all partake of the one Bread and one Chalice.” (1 Corinthians 10:17)
“Come, Follow Me” gives us further instruction of how to deepen that faith and even how to find it:
Come, follow me and live; do not be afraid.
Believe and trust in me; your faith will give you strength.
Leave all your fears behind you; let your heart be free, for I will be your guide.
Oh, come and follow me.
At the conclusion of Mass, we are once sent out into the world in faith to share Christ’s message of love. In the third verse of the “Celtic Alleluia: Sending Forth”, we are reminded of the faith that we read and heard about today:
Now make us steadfast in faith, joyful in hope of Christ’s coming,
and by unity let your love fill our lives.