Praying Twice

The Fourth Sunday in Lent March 31, 2019 Today is the Fourth Sunday in Lent, Laetare Sunday . The name comes from the traditional Latin introit to the Mass, "Laetare Jerusalem" (Rejoice, O Jerusalem). It marks the hopeful halfway point on our Lenten journey to Easter Day, and it is set apart from the other Sundays in Lent through the use of rose vestments. Learn more about Laetere Sunday in this post from 2018: Laetere Sunday There's even a traditional dessert for this Sunday - simnel cake. Last Laetere Sunday, I included a link to the recipe. A faithful reader of Praying Twice baked the cake and sent me a couple of slices! At today's 10:30 Eucharist, we are pleased to welcome the Morningside Choir from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, under the direction of Dr. Ryan Person. The choir is singing prelude music, as well as the offertory and communion anthems.   The offertory anthem, Zum Abendsegen , is a motet composed by Felix Mendelssohn in ...

The Third Sunday in Lent March 24, 2019 Today's anthem is an arrangement of a classic hymn. "I heard the voice of Jesus say" was written by Horatius Bonar (1808-1889), a prolific Scottish hymn poet and author. Several of his hymns are included in The Hymnal 1982 , including "O love of God, how strong and true," which we will sing today. The tune, Kingsfold , is an English folk melody. Although it is certainly much older, it was first published in Lucy Broadwood's English Country Songs in 1903. It was paired with this text by Ralph Vaughan Williams in the English Hymnal 1906 . A well-known author and clergyman, Bonar experienced deep sadness and grief, including the deaths of five of his young children. Imagine that profound sense of loss as you read his hopeful words: I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come unto me and rest; and in your weariness lay down your head upon my breast." I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad;...

The Second Sunday in Lent March 17, 2019 Statue of St. Patrick, Hill of Tara, Ireland (photo: Marty Wheeler Burnett) In a nod to St. Patrick's Day, our choir is singing a portion of a famous prayer attributed to St. Patrick. Irish composer Bernard Sexton created the musical setting. Listen here: Prayer of Saint Patrick Christ be with me, Christ within me. Christ behind me, Christ before me. Christ beside me, Christ to win me. Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me. Christ in quiet, Christ in danger. Christ in hearts of all who love me. Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. This prayer, attributed to Patrick since at least 690, is a "lorica," or breastplate prayer. It would have been chanted when arming for battle. As described in The Hymnal 1982 Companion :  "Legend has it that Patrick sang this lorica as protection from the pagan Irish king Loegaire mac Neill and the Druid fire-worshipers who were attempting ...

The First Sunday in Lent March 10, 2019 Today is the First Sunday in Lent, a season of penitence and reflection as we journey toward the events of Holy Week and Easter. Our liturgy and music changes as we begin this new season; read about the specific details here:  Our Lenten Journey Begins Consider how exploring our liturgy and music can help you observe a holy Lent and enrich your spiritual life. Here are a few avenues you might consider: Attend one of the special worship opportunities offered during the season, such as Choral Evensong, Compline, or Stations of the Cross. View details  here . Read our Canon's Bookshelf book selection - Living Lent: Meditations for These Forty Days (available in our Cathedral Shoppe). It contains short daily reflections on the music and poetry of Lenten hymns. Choose one of our Lenten hymns each week for further study and reflection. Hymnary.org is a useful resource. Listen to the Songs in the Desert podcast, which offers ...

The Last Sunday after the Epiphany March 3, 2019 Note: Today marks the completion of the first year of Praying Twice, which began on the First Sunday in Lent 2018. If you enjoy reading these weekly posts, please consider leaving a comment and subscribing. (Click on the "Subscribe" button at the top of this page.) We've had over 4,600 page views this year, and I'm grateful for your readership and support. MWB "Transfiguration" by Lewis Bowman This Sunday's gospel reading describes the Transfiguration. Jesus appears to his disciples in shining splendor before his journey to Jerusalem and the events of Holy Week. During this season of Sundays after the Epiphany, we have heard gospel readings describing Jesus' work and ministry, his miracles, and the ways in which his divinity is made manifest. On this last Sunday, we see him revealed in "resplendent light" (Hymn 135), and, as on the first Sunday after the Epiphany, hea...