For the Living of These Days, 2

We are reading seasonal (Lenten) hymns to guide our hearts' preparation for Easter. The hymns each reference or allude to the biblical span of 40 days, as examples of such preparation. Forty days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness, before his public ministry began. We cannot miss the connection to the 40 days Moses spent on Mount Sinai ("the covenant so long revealed to those of faith in former time"). And we will later see the beautiful symmetry of the 40 days Jesus spent with his disciples after the resurrection. But today...

Now let us all with one accord,
in company with ages past,
keep vigil with our heavenly Lord
in his temptation and his fast.
   The covenant, so long revealed
   to those of faith in former time,
   Christ by his own example sealed,
   the Lord of love, in love sublime.
Your love, O Lord, our sinful race
has not returned, but falsified;
Author of mercy, turn your face
and grant repentance for our pride.
   Remember, Lord, though frail we be,
   in your own image were we made;
   help us, lest in anxiety,
   we cause your name to be betrayed.
Therefore we pray you, Lord, forgive;
so when our wanderings here shall cease,
we may with you forever live,
in love and unity and peace.

Latin hymn (6th century); trans. James Quinn, 1972 (alt.)

LM tune

The sentiment of this Lenten hymn is not the sackcloth and ashes of self-denial. Rather, it is the Chrisitan practice of humility, repentance, and longing to be made complete in Christ.

On your walk to Easter,

Sing on!