This Sunday is such a wonderful alignment of the Liturgical and Civic Calendars as we acknowledge Christ as the Good Shepherd and honor the Mothers in our lives – both of whom provide compassion, guidance, unconditional love, protection, and so much more!
We have gathered an embarrassment of musical riches to celebrate the day, starting with my favorite shepherd-themed organ prelude: Harold Friedell’s “Saint Columba”. It is a challenge for the hands throughout, and each verse has its own flavor, including one with a Sephardic or Middle-Eastern flare. Our closing hymn will be “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” sung to Saint Columba, and the last verse will include a glorious descant harmonization by Paul Halley.
The assigned Psalm for Sunday is of course The 23rd Psalm, with its words of comfort which are proclaimed at funerals in every Abrahamic religion. For years I have wanted to program Bobby McFerrin’s Anglican Chant setting of the Psalm which he dedicated to his Mother, and I am so thankful to be able to share it with you at Worship this Sunday. McFerrin made the poignant choice to cast the Shepherd as Mother, and even switch the obligatory “Gloria Patri at Filio” to “Glory be to our Mother, and Daughter, and to the Holy of Holies.” I weep every time I hear or sing this enchanting setting, and I pray it moves you as well.
Our Choir Anthem is a reprise of Tom Trenney’s ravishingly beautiful setting of the hymn tune MARYTON to Jean Janzen’s text “Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth.” Janzen was inspired by the groundbreaking writings of the 14th-century mystic, Julian of Norwich, celebrated the Divine feminine. Knowing that Janzen was born in the same Saskatchewan town as MY prodigiously talented Ukrainian Mother makes this an even more poignant inclusion on this Mother’s Day!
The words of John 10:16 have always been comforting in their aspirational hope for “One Fold, and One Shepherd.” Russell Woollen’s 1968 setting of the text is almost meandering like a flock of sheep in need of a shepherd, with the 3 voice lines chasing after each other throughout the work. I have always found the tune hauntingly beautiful, and the work’s profound simplicity still speaks powerfully almost 60 years after its composition, and I hope it speaks to your hearts as you come forward to share in Christ’s feast.
May the words we sing in this Sunday’s Worship remind each of us of the deep and endless love of Christ for His flock, and how that love can be seen in our families through our Mothers and those who have been like Mothers to us.
