Today’s Word from Trinity’s Keyboardist Sheila Weidendorf…
This lovely hymn – another example of old folk tunes making their way into the modern world, whether via symphony or liturgy! – was first published in an American hymnal in 1982. The text was written by Fred Pratt Green, a British Methodist minister (1903-2000). He had retired from active ministry in 1969 but was then approached by committee and asked to write hymns for the modern sensibility on topics that were conspicuously absent from the traditional hymnody. Though he had intended to spend his retirement painting, he instead spent it composing and is considered, in a way, the successor to the premier Methodist hymn composer, Charles Wesley himself (I suppose you can take the girl out of Methodism, but perhaps it’s somewhat more challenging to take the Methodist out of the girl?!?).
In my seminary days – I started out thinking I’d become a Methodist pastor, but instead focused my efforts on feminist theological scholarship – one of my favorite exercises in scriptural studies was the practice of lectio divina. Before we would dive into the texts from the perspectives and rigors of biblical scholarship, our professor would pick a passage at random from whatever text in which we were embroiled. He’d read it aloud 2-3 times, letting it sink into our deeper minds and hearts. We’d sit in silence, letting the verses wash over and into our consciousness. Then we’d journal our personal responses to the selected text – making note, without judgement, of whatever arose within in dialogue with the scripture. It was a meditative and holy moment always as each student’s personal particulars were sparked and enlivened in connection with the scriptural passage. As we were not analyzing from within any hermeneutical lens in those precious moments but just…. allowing, there could be no wrong answer, no misguided theological or historical out-of-context misinterpretations. Just direct connection arising from within the holy text.
Rather a fitting process with regard to today’s hymn. It is a “modern” text that speaks to the modern, equality-minded, collaborative believer. The emphasis is not on the blood sacrifice of the Lamb, but on Jesus’ shared experience with humankind as he began his ministry after bathing in the waters of the river Jordan. And as he joined in the struggles of his/our common humanity, the hymn also suggests that it is ours, then, to take up the mantle of his/our divinity – to keep our vows and “share the resurrection that leads to Pentecost.” In this perspective, then, Jesus is the Holy Friend, here to show us who we are and inspire and guide and spark us into awareness and action befitting that Friend.
Now for my personal “lectio divina” with this hymn as my text: It is, of course, notable that it was Jesus’ own cousin, John, that baptized him, that “prepared the way of the Lord.” Each of us has cause – without a doubt! – to bear deep gratitude to many a special person that paved the way for us here in the human realm. I can think of many “Earth Angels” who gave me the gifts of their presence, their care, sometimes just their deep witnessing of my budding selfhood. Some of these inspired and inspiring angels had no idea of their impact upon my life, though I have tried to express my gratitude wherever and whenever possible. Many of my angels were not trying to be angels, and had no idea of the troubles and trauma I was suffering, but I remember well the simple gifts of them in their freely-given loving kindness. Others were truly and intentionally mentors who had taken up the mantle of guidance for whatever pursuit was engaging me at the time.
We all have impact here on earth – for good or ill – no matter if we are aware or not. Taking up the mantle of resurrection requires that we try to use our powers for good, knowing full well we will not always succeed. We will undoubtedly, eventually, do or say the wrong thing, or fail to do or say the right thing – or anything at all. Thank goodness for the age of Grace! Yes, thank goodness for grace, for humility, for awareness, for fine exemplars, for the divine motion of the holy dove, and for gratitude. Gratitude is ALWAYS the fitting response to whatever befalls us as we follow in the Friend’s footsteps.
When Jesus came to Jordan
To be baptized by John,
He did not come for pardon,
But as his Father’s Son.
He came to share repentance
With all who mourn their sins,
To speak the vital sentence
With which good news begins.
He came to share temptation,
Our utmost woe and loss,
For us and our salvation
To die upon the cross.
So when the Dove descended
On him, the Son of Man,
The hidden years had ended,
The age of grace began.
Come, Holy Spirit, aid us
To keep the vows we make,
This very day invade us,
And every bondage break.
Come, give our lives direction,
The gift we covet most:
To share the resurrection
That leads to Pentecost.
Click HERE to enjoy this my improvisational interpretation of today’s hymn.
Sheila
Tune: King’s Lynn (old English folk tune)
Text: Fred Pratt Green (composed 1973)
Text © 1980 Hope Publishing Inc.
Used by permission. CCLI #1609985
