Sing we of the Blessèd Mother

Sing we of the blessèd Mother (St Lk 1. 42, 48b)
who received the angel’s word, (St Lk 1. 30-33)
And obedient to his summons (St Lk 1. 38)
Bore in love the infant Lord; (St L1 1. 46b-48a)
Sing we of the joys of Mary
At whose breast that child was fed (St Lk 11. 27)
Who is Son of God eternal (St Lk 1. 33; St Jn 1. 1, 2)
And the everlasting Bread. (St Jn 6. 35)

Sing we, too, of Mary’s sorrows,
Of the sword that pierced her through, (St Lk 2. 34, 35)
When beneath the cross of Jesus
She his weight of suffering knew,
Looked upon her Son and Saviour (St Jn 19. 25b)
Reigning high on Calvary’s tree,
Saw the price of man’s redemption
Paid to set the sinner free. (Eph 1. 7; I St Pt 1. 18, 19; 2. 24)

Sing again the joys of Mary
When she saw the risen Lord,
And in prayer with Christ’s apostles,
Waited on his promised word; (Acts 1. 14)
From on high the blazing glory
Of the Spirit’s presence came,
Heavenly breath of God’s own being,
Manifest through wind and flame. (Acts 2. 2-4)

Sing the chiefest joy of Mary
When on earth her work was done,
And the Lord of all creation
Brought her to his heavenly home; (Rev 11. 19)
Virgin Mother, Mary blessèd,
Raised on high and crowned with grace, (Rev 12. 1)
May your Son, the world’s redeemer,
Grant us all to see his face.

A Homily for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Holy Cross, Calgary

Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ has taught us that what we do for the least of your  children we do also for him. Give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all, who gave up his life and died for us, but lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

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