On Sundays, Night Prayer will focus on an element from the day's celebration of Mass. Tonight we reflect on a verse found in today's gospel:
"A voice of one crying out in the desert,
'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'"
Your one voice calls me, Lord:
you speak to my heart
in all its dry and barren places,
in the wilderness my life can sometimes be...
you speak to my heart
in all its dry and barren places,
in the wilderness my life can sometimes be...
You call me by name
to prepare a way for you
who come to make of my wilderness
a lush and blooming garden...
You call me to change,
to change my desires, my habits, my ways:
to clear a smooth path
for you to come to make your home in me...
You call me to make peace
where I am, where I live,
where I work and where I play
with all I meet and know,
whose paths cross mine each day...
Of all the voices 'round me, Lord,
attune my ears to yours
calling me to clear a path,
a way into my heart...
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch for you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
It's hard to believe that it was 32 years ago that I sang lead vocal on Rachel Burckardt's beautiful Advent song, One Voice. This piece was included on the album, Gross Santa's Yuletide Favorities - which isn't as weird as it sounds - follow the link! Musicians for One Voice came from the Wood Harbor Ensemble and the choir of St. Ann University Parish in Boston where I served as a campus minister for Northeastern University and Emerson College from 1982-1991. (Apparently, I really am 75 years old!)
If a video doesn't appear below, click here!
Advent Blessing
composed by Michael Joncas and Alan Hommerding
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