11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

13 June 2010

Entrance	There's wideness in God's mercy (Faber/Blaenwern)
Penitential Rite	St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria	Jeanne Jugan Gloria (Christopher Walker)
Psalm 31	Forgive, Lord (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Alleluia (Murray)
Preparation of Gifts	Remember not the things of the past (Bob Hurd)
Eucharistic Acclamations	No Greater Love (Michael Joncas)
Lamb of God	St Gabriel (mtgf)
Communion	All your sins have been for given (Collegeville Composers Group)
Final	Praise we our God with joy

After so long we are back in the pastures of (real) Ordinary Time. What I particularly mean is since the beginning of Lent I have known what the readings will be, or at least a good guess, without having to check. I have been on a clear path now, though there is a shape in the readings from Luke's Gospel, it is needs some orientation.
There's a richness in the opening hymn; I think it is a successful lyrical expression of theology one might almost say Wesleyian - though the author may not have been grateful for the comparison. This begs the question what other Catholic hymns manage this? In recent years there have been many scripturally based hymns. The variety of versions of the text led me to check - it was originally 13 4-line stanzas.
Remember, not things of the past is a favourite from Bob Hurd's collection A Lenten Journey. Even if scripture scholars caution against equating the woman caught in adultery with the woman who anointed the feet of Jesus I think the text, though written for the former, fitted today's celebration. The Communion refrain from Psallite showed the insight of the authors. There is a clear theme of sinfulness and forgiveness in the readings and the refrain both reflected this but also allowed redemption/communion:

All your sins have been forgiven;
love has swept your guilt away.
Go in peace: your faith has saved you;
love has come to you today.

I am less sure whether Psalm 84 was the best choice of accompanying psalm.