Come let us join in the heavenly dance: Singing of Justice and Mercy
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 1991. As such, it is appropriate for Advent and Lent as well as Proper 2 WLWC year b.
Voices Found # 33
The grain is ripe
The grain is ripe: the harvest comes!
good seed of hope, your time is now
justice will stream from hill and river, more than you
dream—and running over.
The righteous God gives this and more:
grace is the mode, mercy the key,
God comes in truth, the sharpest laser to scan the
earth--to take our measure.
The work of peace is all for all,
face turned to face in open trust,
all famine gone and thirst and bleeding, the harvest
comes from love's good seeding.
Words: Shirley Erena Murray (1931-2020)
Music: Gainsborough, Phillip Nunn
A joyful meditation: "The Heavenly Dance"
With David Johnson's rousing tune, "People of God" is a joyful opening hymn for any Eucharistic celebration, indeed for any festive worship. It celebrates a joyful dance of creation and community.
Voices Found #109
People of God
People of God, gather together
Come let us sing on this glorious day. Shouting abroad
praise to the Maker, come and with body and soul let us pray.
Refrain:
Come let us join in the heavenly dance,
praising in joyous celebration.
Hearing God's word, heeding the message, come and rejoice
as we answer the call. With one accord,
made in God's image, come in community, welcoming all.
Refrain
Bearing your gifts, enter God's presence; come, let us
share in the heavenly feast. Mending all rifts,
healing divisions, come and from sorrows and hurts be released.
Refrain
Women and men, harmony blending, come, swell the
chorus on loving accord. Raising again
thanks never ending, come to the God who is Wisdom and Word.
Refrain:
Come let us join in the heavenly dance,
praising in joyous celebration.
Words: Patricia B. Clark (1938-2009)
Music: Earth and All Stars, David N. Johnson (1922-1987)
Writer, teacher. retreat leader, Patricia B. Clark, held a master of divinity degree from the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. She wrote this early text while attending Seminary. Her words have been set by many composers including Emma Lou Diemer.
David N. Johnson was an American organist, composer, educator, choral clinician, and lecturer. Johnson was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1922. He studied organ and composition at Curtis Institute of Music.
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