Voices Found: An invitation to learn, WLWC Lent IV C (Laetare Sunday), VF 21.127, 98
Voices Found #21
God of the women
who walked Jesus' way
giving their resources,
learning to pray,
Mary, Joanna,
Priscilla, and more
may we give freely
as they did before.
Words: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Music: Slane, Irish ballad melody
Slane is a familiar melody derived from an old Irish love song called "With my Love on the Road." It became a hymn when David Evans arranged the tune to set the text, "Be Thou My Vision" in 1927. The tune is named for a hill in County Meath, Ireland, where St. Patrick is thought to have set an Easter fire in defiance of a pagan king.
Gillette's hymn is an example of contrafacta, or hymns created by using familiar folk tunes, often associated with love songs, to set sacred texts. In "God of the women," the author offers new words to celebrate women in Scripture from Sarah of Genesis in the Hebrew Scriptures, to the followers of Jesus and Paul in the Christian Scriptures. In Verse 4 above, I have added Priscilla to the list, to celebrate her teaching ministry that she shared with her husband Aquila, as recounted in Acts 18:1.
Paul went to Corinth. And he found a Jew, by name Acquila, a native of Pontus recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla...because he had the same trade, (tentmakers) he stayed with them and they worked together...
Now a certain Jewish man, Apollos by name...began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him in and explained the Way [of God] to him more accurately.
Acts 18: 1-2, 24, 26,( tr. Gafney )
Take my yoke upon you,
all who labor long,
I am always with you.
Learn my way of living
simple and forgiving,
and I will give you rest.
Come away, disciple,
come, retreat a while.
I will travel with you,
blessing desert places,
filling Sabbath spaces,
and I will give you rest.
Words: Ruth C. Duck (1947-20240)
Music: Gary Fitzgerald
When Jesus entered her village, Martha welcomed him and invited him to have dinner with her and her sister, Mary.
Mary was sitting at the Teacher's feet listening to his word... Martha said, "Teacher, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving by myself?
speak to her so that she might help me." the Teacher answered her, Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered by much. Yet only one thing is necessary;
"Mary has chosen the better portion, which will not be taken from her."
Luke 10: 38-42, tr. Gafney
Reflection:
In an unpublished manuscript, The Rev. Canon Elizabeth Rankin wrote: Jesus answered gently, "Martha, Martha you're too busy. Come take a break and sit here with Mary. She's learning from me, as she should."
In Rankin's interpretation of the Teacher's words, Jesus affirms Mary's quest for learning. He helps Martha see that taking time to listen and learn is as important as serving guests. He invites both women to sit with him, to rest from kitchen chores, and to receive his blessing. He knew that later, after his Resurrection, he would need them to teach and share his Word, "to reach the hidden depths of many a heart."
Prayer:
Voices Found #98
O teach me Lord, that I may teach
the precious things thou dost impart;
and wing my words,
that they may reach
the hidden depths of many a heart.
Words: Frances R. Havergal (1836-1879)
Music: Canonbury, adapt.Robert A. Schuman (1810-1856)
Voices Found offers several songs and spirituals that celebrate Mary and Martha:
#22 In live's busy moments
#44 Mary and Martha's just gone 'long
# 47 O Mary, O Martha
For background and performance suggestions please see The Leader's Guide to Voices Found
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