NT Wright Sings ‘Genesis’

Oh dear…

 

Still

Because we haven’t had any music on the blog in quite some time:



Be blessed and keep the faith.

 

Lady Gaga: The Pope Doesn’t ‘Matter,’ ‘Gay Marriage Is Going To Happen’

And to think that this wicked woman is soon coming to South Africa.

Long-time gay icon Lady Gaga spoke out last week after the Pope told a group of bishops in France that the traditional definition of marriage, between a man and a woman, must be “promoted and defended.” On French radio, Lady Gaga said she believed “gay marriage is going to happen,” and added that “what the Pope thinks of being gay does not matter to the world.”

Over the past couple of years, the “Born this way” singer has become known as an advocate of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. She has consistently spoken out in favor of marriage equality, and last year she was honored with the Trevor Project’s Trevor Hero Award for her LGBT advocacy work.

This is not the first time that Lady Gaga has sparked controversy in connection with the Catholic church. Last year, her song “Judas” angered religious leaders, and Bill Donohue, the leader of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, said in an interview that she was “trying to rip off Christian idolatry to shore up her talentless, mundane and boring performances.”

Lady Gaga’s controversial songs and statements go beyond just gay rights or Catholicism. Recently, she made headlines for lighting up a joint on stage at a performance in Amsterdam, and for telling critics of her recent weight gain to back off.

 

Be Good to Yourself

On Sunday afternoons they play some ‘old school’ music on the wireless, oops, I mean, the radio: mostly 80’s and the like. This one from Journey brought backs some distant memories. Reminiscing. I grew up on this stuff you know… See, I wasn’t always Fr Stephen.

Naturally this is not the best theology, but hey, do it anyway: Be good to yourself!

 

Sacred Music from the Middle Ages to Today

 

BBC’s Songs of Praise to Remain Christian

That’s a miracle. The Telegraph reports:

Songs of Praise is to remain Christian despite calls for it to be turned it into a multifaith programme, the BBC’s first Muslim head of religion has pledged.

Aaqil Ahmed said that it was vital that religious programming promoted “diversity” but insisted that Songs of Praise would always remain Christian.

Mr Ahmed’s appointment three years ago attracted controversy in some quarters and even complaints to the corporation.

In an interview in 2010 he accused the Church of England of “living in the past” by complaining about a fall in the number of hours given to religious broadcasting.

But speaking to an audience invited by the Catholic Communications Network in London he said it was “childish” to think that religion was being cut back on the BBC…

He said that diversity was “the future” but added that traditional offerings such as Songs of Praise were still “loved” in the corporation.

“So no multifaith Songs of Praise,” he said.

“It will, whilst I am in the job, remain a Christian programme.

“And it can remain so because on Sunday mornings be it on TV and radio we have real religious, cultural and intellectual diversity available through Sunday on Radio 4 and The Big Questions on BBC 1.”

His remarks follow an outcry over suggestions that by a Sikh executive producer, that there was “no reason” it could not explore other faiths.

Mr Ahmed said that although the average age of Songs of Praise viewers was now 65 it was still drawing in huge audiences…

The whole piece here.

 

NT Wright Sings Bob Dylan

My goodness… His Excellency is a man of many talents!

 

A Hymn for Eastertide

With thanks to Fr Christopher Phillips:

God our Father, Lord of glory,
Thanks and praise we give to Thee;
In Thy mercy to our fathers,
Thou didst bring them through the sea.
So by water hast Thou saved us,
Now from Adam’s sin set free.

Jesus Christ, our Risen Saviour,
Of Thy sacrifice we sing;
As the lamb in ancient myst’ry
To Thy people life didst bring,
So in Eucharistic glory,
Thou, God’s Lamb, art made our King.

Holy Spirit, Breath from heaven,
We Thy precious gifts embrace;
At creation all things living
Thou didst sanctify with grace.
So may we, creation’s glory,
Be for Thee a dwelling place.

Loving mercy of the Father,
Sacrifice of Christ the Son,
Quick’ning power of the Spirit:
In us let Thy work be done!
May we rise to life eternal,
That our Paschal joy be won.

Text: Fr. Christopher G. Phillips
Tune: “Grafton” 8.7.8.7.8.7

The Resurrection of Christ

 

The Beautiful, Haunting Chant of Holy Thursday

Pange Lingua

Sing, my tongue, the Savior’s glory,
of His flesh the mystery sing;
of the Blood, all price exceeding,
shed by our immortal King,
destined, for the world’s redemption,
from a noble womb to spring.

Of a pure and spotless Virgin
born for us on earth below,
He, as Man, with man conversing,
stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;
then He closed in solemn order
wondrously His life of woe.

On the night of that Last Supper,
seated with His chosen band,
He the Pascal victim eating,
first fulfills the Law’s command;
then as Food to His Apostles
gives Himself with His own hand.

Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature
by His word to Flesh He turns;
wine into His Blood He changes;
what though sense no change discerns?
Only be the heart in earnest,
faith her lesson quickly learns.

Down in adoration falling,
This great Sacrament we hail,
Over ancient forms of worship
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith will tell us Christ is present,
When our human senses fail.

To the everlasting Father,
And the Son who made us free
And the Spirit, God proceeding
From them Each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
Amen. Alleluia.