Voices Found: From Jesus to Christianity, the Spirit shall rise! Easter 3, WLWC VF 57, 55
Voices Found #57
No longer settled or sure of our ways
we leave ourselves open, in moments of grace,
to fresh ways of seeing--scales fall from our eyes
and in our new visions, the Spirit shall rise.
Claiming our passion, embracing our rage
strengthens our love to refashion the age,
unleashes the power to challenge our lies
and in righteous anger the Spirit shall rise.
Rise on our wings, away to new birth,
breathe on our bodies, and free all the earth!
Words: Jody L. Caldwell
Music: Kimberly A. Williams
The Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church appoints lessons that begin with with the vicious killing of Stephen, approved by Saul. This is a most disconcerting text following the previous weeks of Easter. joy. However,the lesson from Acts highlights the long and vicious journey from Jesus to Christianity. Caldwell's hymn text captures the unease of the scripture and the unsettling emotions it raises.
Now Saul approved of [the mob of men] killing Stephen. There began that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem; everyone scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and they made great lamentation over him. But Saul was razing the church from house to house, going in and dragging off women and men; he handed them over to prison. Now the women and men who were indeed scattered went about proclaiming the word. Acts 8:1-4, tr. Gafney
In Ephesians St. Paul advises the believers saying, And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With every prayer and supplication, at all times, pray in the Spirit. And for this, keep awake at all times, persevering in the supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:17-18, tr. Gafney
Hildegard of Bingen, the 12th Century Abbess, echoes St. Paul as she prays in the Spirit for the freedom of the Living Word, and the soaring power of Holy Wisdom. She prays for the Spirit to encompass all the saints, encircling us "above, below, and through the world."
Let us pray the song of Hildegard:
Voices Found # 55,
"Echoes of St. Hildegard," Track 4
Eternal vigor, saving one,
you free us by your living Word,
becoming flesh to wear our pain,
and all creation is restored.
O Holy Wisdom, soaring power,
Encompass us with wings unfurled,
And carry us encircling all,
Above, below, and through the world.
Above, below and through the world.
Words: Jean Wiebe Janzen, after Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)
Music: Durrell Sharon Marion Hershey
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