Thank you God for past and present

Over the past several weeks, our parish has been singing this hymn--often at school Masses and occasionally at weekend Masses. The words are by Brian Wren, a very talented hymn writer.

Fr. Tom, Sr. Marie, the liturgy committee and I chose this hymn very specifically. As we are going through a difficult transition with the closing of our school, these words seem to express where we are as a faith community. Thankful for the many years of our school. Rooted in the past but living fully in the present. Trusting in God's plan for our future.

I invite you to spend a few minutes with these words. See what images come to mind. What can this text express about the closing of our school? About the gifts and talents of our community? About the future of Epiphany parish?

Thank you, God, for past and present,
for a future yet unknown
and for countless gifts and talents,
ours to use, but yours to own.
Thank you for our best traditions
richly able to endow
ventures new to find and follow
where your love is leading now.

Send us out to work and witness
with a message glad and clear:
"Jesus Christ, God's Word and Wisdom,
lives, and moves among us here.
Though we fail, fall short, and falter,
Christ redeems the way we live
as we learn to care and listen,
be forgiven and forgive."

Reconfigured and translated,
joy in Christ, our common hope,
shines through varied forms and faces,
rich in detail, vast in scope.
Give us, as we serve your mission,
faith that welcomes and explores,
guided by a common vision --
open hearts and open doors.

If you would like to share your thoughts, please click on the Comments link below.

Peace,

Scott

P.S. We will continue to sing this hymn occasionally in the coming year. It can give us words to express ourselves as we look back at 100 years of history and look forward to the next 100 years with confidence, hope, and trust in God's plan.