Joy, Redemption, Restoration
“The ransomed of the Lord shall return and
come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
At the opening of this week’s lessons, the Prophet Isaiah speaks about the desert “rejoicing and blossoming like the crocus.” Indeed, the desert “shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing,” such that all, in this wonder and miracle, “shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God” (Isa 35:1-2).
Crocuses are one of the first flowers of spring; frequently, we see their arresting colors among the first to break through the later snows of the season. It’s much too early yet for crocuses — of course — but the earliness layers onto the imagination of the impossibility of the blooming desert. A desolate landscape suddenly bursts forth with life and possibility, to surreal effect …
Be patient … until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand
— James, the Brother of our Lord (Jas 5:7-8)
Third Sunday of Advent
Texts for this Week
Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found a people acceptable in your sight; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever.
God, Make us your Family
One of the old classics from the Community of Celebration, a calling out to be made the people of God for the mission and coming of God in the world, that echoes today’s Scripture lessons. The minor key conveys on the one hand a certain intensity and seriousness on the one hand, on the other, there is a note of hope and expectation as God’s work moves forward, even in the midst of a world that is dark and broken and difficult.
Verbum supernum prodiens — Supernal Word proceeding forth
Likely composed sometime in the 6th or 7th C, by the 10th C, this hymn was all the rage during the Office of Readings in the monasteries of Latin Christendom. It’s lyrics beautifully align the theme of Christ’s first coming in the Incarnation with his second coming in judgment — two of the primary things we anticipate in the Advent season. (Here’s a brief entry in the TLP with parallel English-Latin lyrics!)
In the 13th C, Thomas Aquinas penned a remix of the hymn for the newly-established feast of Corpus Christi, added to the calendar in 1264 for the Thursday after Trinity, to celebrate the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. The homage to the Advent hymn completes the major senses of Christ’s coming, that he comes to us also in the Sacraments.
If you’re really in the mood to hear the hymn chanted in English, there’s a simple, well-produced version done by the Schola Cantorum at St. Peter’s in the Loop, Chicago. If you have the patience for eight minutes of Latin in beautiful Renaissance polyphany, however, Adrian Willaert’s setting of Aquinas’s lyrics is certainly worth listening to!
Introitus
Gaudete in Domino
This week’s introit comes from Philippians 4:4-6, with the Psalm verse deriving from Ps 85. This Sunday is sometimes called “Gaudete” from this first word of the introit, “Rejoice!” It is also a Sunday of refreshment. For those observing a strict Advent fast, this Sunday is a Sunday of respite, when the rules are relaxed. Hence, the blue/purple of the season is mixed with a little bit of white, to form the attractive rose (not pink!) color that adorns many Altars this Sunday.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ps. LORD, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.
The Graduale Project offers a splendid version of the introit chanted over an image of the chant from a manuscript antiphoner. Henry Percell’s setting of the Philippians text is clutch — so much so that it has it’s own nickname as “the Bell Anthem.”
