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The Gospel and Music Themes for the Season of Lent
by
Mrs. William Herring, Music Director
 

The CYCLE of Sunday Lenten Gospel Readings is one of the primary means that the Church gives to us as we begin our preparation for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery. It is the Father who calls us to holiness, the Son who gives us the way, the Holy Spirit who makes all things possible. As the Priest or Deacon proclaims the “Good News”, we sign our heads and pray that God’s Word will be in our heads, on our lips and in our heart as we listen to His Holy Word. It is our custom here at Saint Peter Cathedral, to sing a Hymn which reflects the theme of the Gospel and homily. This hymn is sung during the Preparation of the Gifts.
 

The First Sunday of Lent

The account of THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS IN THE DESERT is told in the Gospel on the First Sunday of Lent and the hymn which best emphasizes the meaning of this gospel is entitled: “Forty Days and Forty Nights”. The text of this hymn first tells the story of Jesus going into the desert for forty days, and then encourages us to reject the temptation of Satan, just as did Jesus in the Gospel account as told by Saint Matthew. The texts of the hymn then reminds us that during our lives when Satan tempts us in our weaknesses, we need to pray without ceasing as well as fasting and giving alms to the poor. The hymn concludes that if we pray, fast, and give alms, then Jesus will constantly stay by our side and lead us to eternal life through the great mystery of his Resurrection.



The Second Sunday of Lent

The TRANSFIGURATION is the theme of the Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent. As last week, the writer of the Gospel is Matthew. Jesus takes some of His disciples up to the top of the mountain where he is transfigured in bright and radiant robes. There is one hymn that best helps us to meditate on this beautiful story: “Tis Good Lord to Be Here”. What a great and awesome event in the life of his disciples! To have Jesus manifested before their eyes. In every Eucharist that we celebrate as a community of faith, god manifests Himself to us through the transformation of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus. The texts of the hymn tell us that after meeting the prophets of the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah, Jesus leads us off the mountain. Each Sunday as we leave the celebration of the Eucharist, Jesus takes us back into the world, to continue our journey to the promised land through prayer, fasting and alms-giving.
 

The Third Sunday of Lent

THE WOMAN AT THE WELL. Weeks three, four, and five of Lent, center on the theme of water and in how Jesus uses water and in how uses water, mud, and dirt; basic elements of the earth to heal and transform us. Jesus ask the woman at the well to give him a drink of water. The hymn that we sing is: “I heard the Voice of Jesus Say”. “I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life giving stream; my thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him.” Today, and for the next two weeks the Church celebrates the Scrutinizes. A Scrutiny is a special blessing...a prayer that is led by the Presider for the elect, (those to be baptized) at the Easter Vigil by Bishop Trautman. (It is also at the Easter Eucharist that each of us who are baptized renew in a very special way our own Baptismal vows and are then sprinkled with holy water...the high point at the Easter Season, the water of Baptism, the same water which was poured over our heads at baptism as a sign of membership in the Catholic Church and the forgiveness of our sins.) It is during this time in Lent that you will hear the choirs sing that beautiful “spiritual” hymn by John Foley “Come To The Water” ...a favorite of many.




The Fourth Sunday of Lent

The Fourth Sunday of Lent we hear the beautiful story of THE MAN BORN BLIND. The hymn which is one of the most well known hymns of the ages “Amazing Grace” is the perfect hymn for this Sunday. Again Jesus uses the simple symbols of water and mud to heal the blind man. Throughout the gospels Jesus uses simple signs and symbols to transform his disciples...in the Sunday Eucharist, as at the Last Supper, He uses water and wine, on Palm Sunday it is Palm Branches. The hymn texts: “was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.” Jesus not only cures the blind man, but He cures each on of us from our sins. “...and grace will lead me home”, the hymn continues. We will only be able to share in this heavenly banquet if we pray, confess our sins, do penance and feed the hungry.

The Responsorial Psalm also gives us some insight into the meaning of this Liturgy. Psalm 23... “The Lord is My Shepherd”. “You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil, my cup is overflowing. Notice how strong is the symbol of oil. We were anointed at Baptism...which is one of the basic themes of Lent. In the document for “The Period of Purification and Enlightenment,” RCIA, 13 states: “The period of purification and enlightenment...customarily coincides with Lent. In the liturgy and liturgical catechesis of Lent, the reminder of baptism already received or the preparation for its reception, as well as the theme of repentance, renew the entire community along with those being prepared to celebrate the paschal mystery, in which each of the elect will share through the sacraments of initiation. For both the elect and the local community, therefore the Lenten season is a time for spiritual recollection in preparation for the celebration of the paschal mystery.” WE RENEW OUR BAPTISM BEFORE WE CELEBRATE THE EUCHARIST.

The Fifth Sunday of Lent

As a way of forecasting of what is to come, the Fifth Sunday of Lent meditates on the Mystery of the Resurrection by telling the story of The Raising of Lazarus From the Dead. The hymn we will focus on this Sunday is “I am The Bread of Life”. “And I will raise you up on the last day...”. The Church is leading us to a call for holiness. It is through our prayer, fasting and good works that we are led to the final day when Christ will come in glory and raise each of us to eternal life. The Psalm for the day is psalm 130. A common psalm for the holy season of lent. The refrain: “With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.” Jesus has a special place for us in the heavenly kingdom. He loves each on of us and will always be with us. Lazarus was a special friend of Jesus. Jesus is also a friend to each of us. “Israel” (members of the church) he will redeem from all its iniquity.” He will forgive us from all of our sins. Another beautiful hymn that we will be singing during Lent is : “Grant to us O Lord, a heart renewed, re-create in us your own spirit, Lord.”



Several general items of what will happen in the area of music...The organ will be subdued and at times silent as we celebrate this holy season as a reminder to turn from evil and do good.
Silence is so much a part of the sacred liturgy. In a recent document by the American Bishops “Music in Divine Worship” stresses the importance of silence during this holy season by asking that instruments be silenced unless needed for accompaniment. There will be no organ preludes, interludes or postludes. Most of us are afraid of keeping silent. Bur during this holy season of Lent we want to quiet our minds and hearts as we reflect on these sacred mysteries.
Also, the Cathedral Children’s Choir will lead the singing at the 9:15 mass each Sunday of Lent. A quartet from the Cathedral Choir will lead the singing at 5:15 (Saturday) Mass and the Cathedral Choir at the 11:00 Mass. The choirs will sing from downstairs choir area during Lent.
All of us involved in the Music for Divine Worship encourages every member of the community to come and pray with us, so that we can fully enter into the celebration of the Sacred Triduum: the spiritual goal for these Forty Days.