7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

20 February 2011

Entrance	Brother, Sister let me serve you ()
Gloria	St Augustine's (Christopher Walker)
Psalm 102	The Lord is compassion (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Salisbury (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of Gifts	Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Mass of Creation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of God	Remembrance (Marty Haugen)
Communion	Love one another (mtgf)
Final	God is love, his the care

Two baptisms this morning. I sometimes wonder if the congregation realise this is a surprise — the lack of reference to them in the Mass leaflet is the clue. Our deacon suggested before Mass that he could not make any connections between the readings and baptism so he would reflect on the MIddle East instead. Though he is experienced enough to weave some references to Baptism into the homily but the focus was regime change. And the connection with music? Well it seems to me that there is a balance between relating the gospel to current events, particular an area one has an interest in and making a judgement about the congregation that will hear it. First and last hymns were chosen was because there were two large baptismal parties and as is often the case many seem not over familiar with participating in Mass. The Servant Song because it is something the congregation knows well and it is suffused with baptismal imagery. The final hymn because I find it is well know and it is 'upbeat'.

I wondered today about the language of the Rite of Baptism given the recent debate in the Anglican General Synod. I find this a hard question, partly because I cannot listen without my 'informed' ear, but there is also a question of people's expectations. The danger is however you describe how language works in liturgy it sounds like a defence of impenetrability - for example if you suggest it may not all be meant to be taken in instantly. I also guess there is a divorcing of text from context - as this gives meaning.

A final passing thought. For another context I was wondering Ubi caritas: Hurd or plainchant? And realised I think of the chant as strongly linked to Maundy Thursday and would not be right at another time whereas Hurd (etc?) I am quite happy with elsewhere. It is not wholly rational this liturgy stuff.