From the Bench: The Ascension

Notes About Sunday’s Music

May 13th: The Feast of the Ascension

Our opening hymn, "A Hymn of Glory Let Us SIng", expresses our joy as Jesus ascends to his heavenly throne. Our recessional, "Go to the World" reflects Jesus’ command to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature" which we hear in today's Gospel.

How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place by Kevin Hildebrand

How Lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Blessed are those whose strength is in You.

“Familiar words from Psalm 84:1–5 are put to music by Kevin Hildebrand for SATB choir and organ. These words, meticulously illustrated in music, give hope and strength to the believer pointed toward heaven's courts" - Concordia Publishing House

Behold, I Am with You Always by Christopher Walker

Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. I am with you always, Alleluia.

The antiphons are a set of texts and music that correspond to the church year that come from a Latin song book entitled The Graduale Romanum. In this book there is a prescribed text and chant for the entrance, Offertory, and Communion as well as many other chants. Though use of these texts fell out of fashion following the Second Vatican Council, they have made a resurgence in recent years. Many composers have sought to set English translations of theses texts to new music. This choral piece comes from one such collection by Christopher Walker. You will hear these musical settings throughout the rest of the Easter Season and upcoming solemnities.

Christ Has No Body Now, But Yours by David Ogden

Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes with which he sees, yours are the feet with which he walks, yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world. – St. Teresa of Avila

This piece is another one of the choir's favorites. It is incredibly simple musically, but it's haunting melody and beautiful text mirror today's Gospel perfectly, reminding us that we must carry on Jesus' work here on earth.