Voices Found

  Voices Found #137 She poured the perfume lavishly She poured the perfume lavishly, a pound of precious nard, anointing tenderly the feet that nails too soon would pierce.  With fragrance sweet the house was filled, with scent of loving deed. What gift shall I pour out for him who gave his very life?  the treasure of my heart he seeks, the precious nard of love.  With fragrance let me  fill his house, with scent of lavish love. Words: Delores Dufner, OSB (b. 1939) Music: Sancta Civitas (1619) Herbert Howells (1892-1983) Reflection 1 Samuel 8:1, 4-18 is appointed for Proper 9 (closest to July 6) in the Women's Lectionary for the whole Church. In this reading Samuel tells the people who demand that he anoint a monarch, of the  actions of such a King, among them,   "Your daughters he will take to be apothecaries, and cooks and bakers." (vs. 13).  In her notes to this translation, the author explains her choice of the word "apothecary" to transl...

  Voices Found #157 A Song of Jerusalem Our Mother All you who love Jerusalem, be glad and share her cheer. all you who mourn for  her sad state will have no cause for fear. For God has said, my peace will flow, and  treasures of the earth.  Like banks of waters past their fill, her comfort will pour forth. Her gentle arms will cradle you, as mother comforts child.  Your heart will sing as you grow strong, like grasses in the wild. Words: Patricia B. Clark, para.  Music: Edmonton, from Harmonica Sacra , ca. 1760 Reflection: Psalm 147:7-14 is appointed for Proper 6 (closest to June 15) in The Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, by Wilda C. Gafney. Psalm 147 offers a  reflection on the "Song of Jerusalem Our Mother."  Gafney's rendering of this Psalm  begs for a musical setting.  Composers, take note! Sing to the Glorious One with Thanksgiving: make melody to our God on the lyre. She covers the heavens with clouds, she provides rain f...

Voices Found #102 Creator of all time and space    Creator of all time and space, we read your image on each face, Great Spirit of the cosmic whole, you made us, body, mind, and soul. We thank you for the human mind, in mystic harmony designed, for word and image dream and thought, for lessons learned and answers sought. O God of planet, moon, and sun, we wonder knowing what you've done, that you befriend the human race, and fill our lives with love and grace. For miracles as large as space, as small as cells, as deep as grace, we offer you our thanks and praise, and pledge to serve you all our days. Words: Ruth Duck  Music: Conditor alme siderum, plainsong, Mode 4 Reflection: Genesis 2:4b-7 is appointed for Proper 8 (closest to June 29) in The Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church In the day that the Ageless One, God, made the earth and the heavens: Before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had sprung up—for the author of Life...

https://www.50treasures.divinity.cam.ac.uk/treasure/the-dublin-troper Voices Found #8, a 14th century cry for mercy Miserere miseris Have mercy on those who suffer, Fount of Mercy. You were merciful enough to bear the Prince of Glory; honor our race, ark of the new covenant, and dawn of grace: surely, if you wish, O kind Lady, you can grant us peace and pardon. Words: Latin, 13th c., tran. and tr. Susan Hellauer Music:  Dublin Troper, Irish,  ca. 1390 Miserere miseris,  an ancient cry for mercy,   echoes the words of  James in  Proper 3, The Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year B  James 2:5-13 and Matthew 5:21-26 Judgement will be merciless to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy shouts victory over  judgment.  (James 2:13)   Shirley Arena Murray also echoes that message in her hymn for mercy and justice which she wrote for the it for the World Council of Churches Assembly on peace and justice in Canberra, Australia in 199...