Have you heard the phrase, “when you sing, you pray twice?” I think that can be a powerful statement, but if one is not attuned to listening to the lyrics of the song, it may not seem like praying. With a background in music performance, I was trained to look at text, whether it was to translate, so I knew what I was saying, or to interpret it so I could add emotion to it. I want to provide six songs with very powerful text to help you navigate another level of prayer this week.
Yesterday we celebrated Palm Sunday. This is the beginning of the journey Christ will have to Calvary. We start this week with praise and adoration, worshiping God with all our being as we commemorate Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem. My favorite Hosanna song is “Hands in the Air” from the cantata The Tomb is Empty Now by Joel Lindsey and Cliff Duren. You can find it by typing “Hands in the Air Accompaniment Video Preview” on Youtube. This vibrant, uplifting song recounts Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and the excitement of the crowd as Jesus passed through the midst of them. As you listen to it, take the opportunity to think about what it will be like when we see Jesus face to face. Will our excitement be at this level? More? “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna!”
Today is Holy Monday. We just experienced joy, but also sorrow as we recounted Christ’s Passion and Death. We take another step closer to Christ’s death, but also towards His Resurrection. Maybe we are struggling with the fact that we did not keep to our Lenten promises in the way that we wanted to. Maybe we are beating ourselves up because we don’t think that we’re good enough, pretty enough, thin enough. Maybe you need a reminder that Christ Loves you so much that He died for you. “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” by Selah is a reminder that Jesus’ sacrifice has given you the gift of salvation. Of eternal life. All you need to do is accept this incredible gift. Can you do that? He has His hand reached out to you. Take it. “His wounds have paid my ransom.”
Holy Tuesday is the second to last day of Lent. We have spent weeks asking God to have Mercy on us. What has His mercy done for you? “What Mercy Did for Me” by People and Songs is a gospel rendition of what God’s mercy truly does in our lives. It forgives us of our sins, heals our broken hearts, calls us to better ourselves, and provides us with true, unconditional Love. Can you work on loving him more this week? He needs to be the center of all things, but we often push Him to the side. Maybe these last few days leading up to Easter can be spent reveling in His love for you and strengthening your love for Him.
Holy Wednesday. If you attend Mass on Holy Thursday, you will get to experience a reenactment of the washing of the disciples feet. Representatives from the various ministries of the Church will have their feet washed by the Priest and/or Deacon in the remembrance of Christ. The song “All the Room Was Hushed and Still” by Graham Kenrick helps to remind us of what Christ has called us, his disciples, to react with our neighbors. He wants us by our actions to live out a life resembling Christ. How well can you love your fellow man for the rest of this week? Will someone be able to see Christ in you? “Love each other.”
Holy Thursday we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist. This is where Christ instructed his Church to eat of His Body and Drink of His Blood in remembrance of Him. One of my favorite hymns is “The Cup of Life Outpoured” by Jim Cowan. The beginning of verse three is a profound statement that I often take for granted; maybe you do too: “Too great for me, the Wisdom of the Lord, to hold the Savior in my hand.” That’s right. Everytime we come to Mass we get to hold the Savior in our hands. How mind-boggling that statement is. How overwhelming this reality is. He is in you. You are a living tabernacle of Christ. The next time you attend Mass, think about this text. How does it make you feel? Do you truly believe it?
Good Friday is the commemoration of the day Christ walked His steps heading to Calvary and His ultimate sacrifice. “Via Dolorosa” by Sandi Patti is one of my favorite Lenten songs of all time. It’s a very haunting recounting of Christ’s “way of pain” to Calvary. He took the steps and bore that Cross for you and for me. Have you ever attended the Good Friday liturgy? It’s a solemn occasion where we get to venerate the Cross of Christ and mournfully worship Him and thank Him for His sacrifice. He has put on human flesh to experience our pain. Give your burdens and pain to him and join us on Friday for this powerful Liturgy.
I hope you have a blessed, prayerful, and fruitful Holy Week. Let’s buckle down to love God more this week, so we may celebrate with Him with more fervent joy on Sunday