Expressing faith in words.

[MoreCoffee]

Our Christian faith is sometimes hard to express in words because it is so deeply felt and so emotionally moving as well as intellectually profound. Sometimes simple songs express the elements that ordinary speech cannot express properly. Singing expresses emotion better than prose and what moves our hearts most deeply can sometimes be best expressed in song. Maybe that is why Paul urged the faithful in his churches to speak and sing to one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Maybe we ought to do that more in our chats here in CH.

I started a thread a while back that is about "why can't the bread & wine be the body and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ". Some songs capture the intent of my question and express the ideas that my posts may not be able to properly convey because they are just words on a screen without emotion and bereft of facial expression, tone of voice, and body posture and movement. So here is a song to hear if you are willing that expresses some of what is felt and meant by the posts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6EJJRaK69U

 

[Cassia]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P6sNjwZrzg

 

[MoreCoffee]

Thank you Cassia, That's a nice song. I am not keen on pop style tunes but that is more a matter of taste than anything else. I wish that the lyric was "This is my body. This is my blood" rather than "This is the body. This is the blood" because the former tells me that Jesus is present and that the faithful are receiving him in communion while the latter leaves me wondering a little if the words are about Jesus being already present or if they may be a longing for him to become present.

 

[Cassia]

I have never beleived it right to ask for His Presence tho, as that sheds doubt on Him being with us always. Most all songs of communion (whether catholic or contemporary) are applicable to all Christianity. The only difference is the thought of the partaker, whether it's His actual presence in that bread or if it's His accomplishments that bring Him to mind, the application is the same. I don't see the difference if it's taken worthily. Worthiness being in bringing Him into self. When Jesus is gazed upon in this fashion it has the power to bring Him more fully in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACHPwx7EGQA

 

[MoreCoffee]

I have never beleived it right to ask for His Presence tho, as that sheds doubt on Him being with us always. Most all songs of communion (whether catholic or contemporary) are applicable to all Christianity. The only difference is the thought of the partaker, whether it's His actual presence in that bread or if it's His accomplishments that bring Him to mind, the application is the same. I don't see the difference if it's taken worthily. Worthiness being in bringing Him into self. When Jesus is gazed upon in this fashion it has the power to bring Him more fully in.

That is another good song Cassia and I like the tune better this time. The lyrics are good though some changes would please me better than the lyric that is there. As for worthiness, that is always God's prerogative to judge and decide. The faithful are called to self examination so that they can approach the table of the Lord with a clear conscience. They know their sins and ask for forgiveness and if they need help with advice then they may confess to the parish elder and receive the advice and help that he can give and that God grants wisdom for him to give. That is the only path to worthy receiving that I know, to be forgiven, to cherish the Lord in one's heart, and to receive him and one's brethren (including the sisters) in communion. Remembering both those present on this earth and those who have come before and are now with the Lord because they too are his body and anticipating those yet to come who are also his body. That is the glory of communion and its power to grant grace and health in body and spirit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvPCjVWFXJw

 

[Lamb]

Eat this bread

 

[TurtleHare]

Psalm 69a

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.

1Save me, O God,

for the waters have come up to my neck.

2I sink in the miry depths,

where there is no foothold.

I have come into the deep waters;

the floods engulf me.

3I am worn out calling for help;

my throat is parched.

My eyes fail,

looking for my God.

4Those who hate me without reason

outnumber the hairs of my head;

many are my enemies without cause,

those who seek to destroy me.

I am forced to restore

what I did not steal.

5You, God, know my folly;

my guilt is not hidden from you.

6Lord, the Lord Almighty,

may those who hope in you

not be disgraced because of me;

God of Israel,

may those who seek you

not be put to shame because of me.

7For I endure scorn for your sake,

and shame covers my face.

8I am a foreigner to my own family,

a stranger to my own mother’s children;

9for zeal for your house consumes me,

and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

10When I weep and fast,

I must endure scorn;

11when I put on sackcloth,

people make sport of me.

12Those who sit at the gate mock me,

and I am the song of the drunkards.

13But I pray to you, Lord,

in the time of your favor;

in your great love, O God,

answer me with your sure salvation.

14Rescue me from the mire,

do not let me sink;

deliver me from those who hate me,

from the deep waters.

15Do not let the floodwaters engulf me

or the depths swallow me up

or the pit close its mouth over me.

16Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;

in your great mercy turn to me.

17Do not hide your face from your servant;

answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

18Come near and rescue me;

deliver me because of my foes.

19You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;

all my enemies are before you.

20Scorn has broken my heart

and has left me helpless;

I looked for sympathy, but there was none,

for comforters, but I found none.

21They put gall in my food

and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

22May the table set before them become a snare;

may it become retribution andb a trap.

23May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,

and their backs be bent forever.

24Pour out your wrath on them;

let your fierce anger overtake them.

25May their place be deserted;

let there be no one to dwell in their tents.

26For they persecute those you wound

and talk about the pain of those you hurt.

27Charge them with crime upon crime;

do not let them share in your salvation.

28May they be blotted out of the book of life

and not be listed with the righteous.

29But as for me, afflicted and in pain—

may your salvation, God, protect me.

30I will praise God’s name in song

and glorify him with thanksgiving.

31This will please the Lord more than an ox,

more than a bull with its horns and hooves.

32The poor will see and be glad—

you who seek God, may your hearts live!

33The Lord hears the needy

and does not despise his captive people.

34Let heaven and earth praise him,

the seas and all that move in them,

35for God will save Zion

and rebuild the cities of Judah.

Then people will settle there and possess it;

36the children of his servants will inherit it,

and those who love his name will dwell there.