Creation is a reflection of its Creator. Just as it came into being at the word of the Lord, the Gospels record that it bowed again in obedience to Word made flesh. Jesus and His disciples were in a boat as a storm arose. Jesus' disciples thought they would drown and trembled in fear at the force of nature. Christ simply spoke, "Peace, be still." And there was peace. Then the disciples trembled in fear at the power that Jesus wielded through the spoken word.
Fear was not the message Jesus shared, though. Instead, He called out for peace and He challenged His disciples to have faith. It was a message of peace and love in the first century A.D. And that message of peace and love lives on today in the twenty-first century.
This week's featured hymn was written by Francis of Assisi. He grew up as the son of a successful silk merchant, but as an adult he renounced wealth and lived in poverty. He sought to know God and to know God's creation. This pursuit is reflected in the following verses. Read all of the words, but focus especially on stanza 7.
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1. All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voice and with us sing, O praise ye! Alleluia! O brother sun with golden beam, O sister moon with silver gleam! O praise ye! O praise ye! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! |
2. O brother wind, air, clouds, and rain, by which all creatures ye sustain, O praise ye! Alleluia! Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice, ye lights of evening, find a voice! O praise ye! O praise ye! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! | |
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3. O sister water, flowing clear, make music for thy Lord to hear, Alleluia! Alleluia! O brother fire who lights the night, providing warmth, enhancing sight, O praise ye! O praise ye! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! |
4. Dear mother earth, who day by day unfoldest blessings on our way, Alleluia! Alleluia! The flowers and fruits that in thee grow, let them God's glory also show! O praise ye! O praise ye! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! | |
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5. All ye who are of tender heart, forgiving others, take your part, O praise ye! Alleluia! Ye who long pain and sorrow bear, praise God and on him cast your care! O praise ye! O praise ye! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! |
6. And thou, our sister, gentle death, waiting to hush our latest breath, Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou leadest home the child of God, and Christ our Lord the way has trod, O praise ye! O praise ye! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! | |
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God bless you--
Lection at HymnSite.com
God bless you!
| Passages suggested are from The Revised Common Lectionary: Consultation on Common Texts (Abingdon Press, 1992) copyright © by the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT), P.O. Box 340003, Room 381, Nashville TN 37203-0003. Reprinted with permission of CCT. |