The first reading for the Second Sunday of Lent finds Abraham (Abram) enveloped in a “deep, terrifying darkness.” Sometimes finding yourself under the shadow of God’s wing is a frightening ordeal. So much so, that we do not often talk about the darkness of God- but the darkness and the light are both part of the same divine phenomenon: God’s all-surrounding, over-whelming love.
Perhaps foreshadowing our experience at the Easter Vigil, we go from deep darkness into a twilight illuminated by a “smoking fire pot and flaming torch,” and finally to a transfigured, “dazzling” Christ.
Just as Christ’s death and resurrection become our own death and resurrection, so to is this our transfiguration. We are led to the mountain top, and shown the promised land of what we could be… what we will be… what we are already, in Christ.
The songs for the Second Sunday of Lent need to do two things. We must do our best to help our congregations experience the mountaintop. Through the words and the music (what is written, and how we play/sing it), we can give people a sense of God’s great loving promise, and Christ’s transcendent light.
But we cannot lull people into a complacent sense of “isn’t this inspiring.” We cannot let ourselves or our congregations build a tent up there or tarry long- there is much work to be done for the kingdom. There is a long way to walk before the Promised Land of our ultimate Easter.
Music Suggestions for
Second Sunday of Lent
Gathering Song:
In Christ Alone
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
Preparation of the Gifts Song:
Eternal is Your Promise Lord
And all-consuming is Your grace
You give to us Your Holy Light
And show to us Your holy Face.
Communion Song:
Holy is Your Name
as I sing to God my savior:
you have looked upon your servant,
you have visited your people.
And holy is your name through all generations!
Everlasting is your mercy
to the people you have chosen,
and holy is your name.
Song for Sending Forth:
Jerusalem, My Destiny
Jerusalem, my destiny!
Additional Notes for
Second Sunday of Lent
The gathering song selection is a gorgeous new(ish) hymn written by an English protestant worship leader. Sheet music and recordings are available several places online. If you are bound to hymnals and traditional Catholic repertoire, "We Will Rise Again" by David Haas is another good choice for this weekend, although for completely different reasons.
I'm continuing with "Jerusalem, My Destiny," and will do so throughout Lent. Some churches do the same music for a whole season. That gets boring. Other churches do something totally different all the time. That's... unsettling. I think having one seasonally meaningful song that is consistent week to week helps unify the season so that our congregation members can more easily enter into the mystery and meaning of Lent. "Jerusalem, My Destiny," pushes us forward- through the desert, down from the mountain... towards the cross.
And on to the resurrection.
I appreciate the insight and reflection. I am new to selecting the music for our tiny Lutheran church, and have no clue where to begin. We do sing more chorus music than hymns so I will continue to look, but this gives me a starting point.
Blessings,
Gayle