In the King James translation of the Bible, which many of us grew up with, I learned that “Now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” The modern translations substitute “love” for the Latin caritas. The word love takes on many meanings
for us, as in the great hymns of the church. Having spent my church life as a musician, both singer and instrumentalist, I find examples and interpretations of love in these hymns. Think about: Love’s redeeming work is done, Of the Father’s love begotten, Love came down at Christmas, Oh love, how deep, Love divine, all loves excelling for starters. You might enjoy meditating on the words of some of these found in our wonderful hymnal. If you don’t have a hymnal at home, go to the internet and pull them up.
“My song is love unknown” has powerful words that touch the heart: “love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be.”
If I have only one song to sing, however, it is Ubi caritas.
Here in Christ we gather, love of Christ our calling,
Christ, our love, is with us, gladness be his greeting.
Let us fear and love him, holy God eternal,
Loving him, let each love Christ in one another.
When we Christians gather, members of one Body,
let there be in us no discord but one spirit.
Banished now be anger, strife and every quarrel,
Christ, our God, be always present here among us.
Grant us love’s fulfillment, joy with all the blessed,
when we see your face, O Savior, in its glory.
Shine on us, O purest Light of all creation,
be our bliss while endless ages sing your praises.
Laura Wells
No comments:
Post a Comment