Lift High the Cross!
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Yesterday I spoke ever so briefly on the importance of having good choirs in our churches to enhance our worship of our Heavenly Father. (I admit to being spoiled, because for years the parish in which I reside, has been led by two wonderful musicians, Morris Stevens and Dan Girardot.) God has shortchanged me in many areas of life, and one is in the area of musical talent. When I was in the seminary, the music director requested me to simply sit on the back row and pop my knuckles! It was a blow to my pride that was difficult to overcome, but I knew that it was good advice and I followed.
My lack of talent does not block me from appreciating wonderful, cheerful, optimistic hymns that reflect important concepts in our holy faith. Allow me to mention two songs that I really love to hear. One of them is the very popular, “On Eagle’s Wings”. The lyrics are, of course, lyrical romanticism, but the concept is so beautiful. We all have an instinctive desire to soar. The eagle is a classic example of power, and in this case, a representative of Gods presence. So, when we sing that song, we need to think about the fact that we are going to be carried into eternity by the saving power of Jesus Christ that is reflected in our day to day world as being carried towards eternal salvation, hanging desperately onto the wings of Jesus, who is our eagle!
Onward into the sky!
A second hymn that I adore is one that is used frequently for the entrance procession for major Eucharistic celebrations, called “Lift High the Cross”. The lyrics and music don’t have the softness of Eagles wings. They are forceful, with a sure confidence about the salvific effect of Jesus Christ in our lives.
Lift High the Cross!
Themocracy