A Concord Pastor Comments: NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 9/8

REMINDER:

Today is the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin

How many times have I said these words, Lord?

Pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death...

The hour of my death...

Arguably,

my death will be one of the three greatest events in my life:

first, my birth

and then my being born again in baptism

and finally, my death, my birth into eternal life...

I celebrate my birthday every year, Lord,

and my baptism opened me to your daily grace

and has truly shaped the man I am

and how I've spent my life...

But my death, Lord,

is something that for decades

I gave very little thought to,

it seemed so far away

that with bold and foolish certitude

I paid it scant attention -

'til the number on my birthday

gave me pause and cause sufficient

to consider and to ponder:

the hour of my death...

My health is good, my mind is sound

and your amazing grace, Lord,

makes strong my faith and deep my trust

that in your mercy I have hope

for life with you forever...

Still I'm pleased to ask your Mother

for her love and for her prayer

both now and through the night ahead

and when that time shall come, Lord,

- at the hour of my death...

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

Tonight, three options for music!

I offer the first selection because I know that some readers have a difficulty with my writing about my own human mortality. So, tonight's first piece by Pepper Choplin sings out loud how I personally face this reality as a man of faith. Tonight's second piece (And At The Hour of Our Death) is and instrumental - a variation on Bach-Gounod Ave Maria - you'll recognize the source composition it when you hear the recording! And the third option is the well-known and much loved Gentle Woman by Carey Landry.

If videos don't appear below, click here!

O Death, Where Is Your Sting? by Pepper Choplin

O death, where is your sting
O death, where is your sting
You’re swallowed up in victory
O death, where is your sting

O grave, you will not win
O grave, you will not win
Though we may die, we’ll live again
Thanks be to God
Thanks be to God
Though we may die, we’ll live again

Then when death sets my soul free

I know my Lord will welcome me

And on that day I'll rise to thee

Thanks be to God

Thanks be to God

I know my God will welcome me

O death, where is your sting

O death, where is your sting

You’re swallowed up in victory

Thanks be to God

Thanks be to God

For we have won the victory

And At The Hour of Our Death
an arrangement of a portion of the Bach-Gounod Ave Maria
    by Christian Badzura
        and performed by Vikingur Olaffson

If a video doesn't appear below, click here!

Gentle Woman by Carey Landy