This past Sunday I celebrated Mass at 9:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Assumption and the wonderful Cathedral choir, echoing the second reading for the day from 1 Samuel Chapter 3, provided the beautifully moving “Anthem of Dedication” by Warren Martin for reflection at the time of the preparation of the altar and gifts.
Samuel answers the call from God by his words that echo to the shores of Galilee when the first disciples answered the words of the Lord Jesus. At the instruction of Eli, Samuel responds: “Here am I, Lord; send me.” I took the words of the anthem with me to my Monday morning Holy Hour. I provide it here for wider reflection:
“Whom shall we send? And who will go for us? Here am I, Lord, send me.
God is working His purpose out as year succeeds to year,
God is working His purpose out and the time is drawing near,
Nearer and nearer draws the time, the time that shall surely be,
When the earth shall be fill’d with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.
March we forth in the strength of God with the banner of Christ unfurl’d,
That the light of the glorious gospel of truth may shine throughout the world;
Fight we the fight with sorrow and sin, to set their captives free,
That the earth may be fill’d with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.
Whom shall we send? And who will go for us? Here am I, Lord, send me.
Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days.
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my lips, and let them be fill’d with messages from Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my will, and make it Thine: It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.
Whom shall we send? And who will go for us? Here am I, Lord, send me.
O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend.
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my guide.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend. Amen.”
