Opening Song: O Love That Will Not Let Me Go (Heritage) by As Isaac
Lyrics: O Love that will not let me go
I rest my weary soul in Thee
I give Thee back the life I owe
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be
What kind of love is this?
That You would call me friend
What kind of love is this?
This is my heritage
O Joy that seekest me through pain
I cannot close my heart to Thee
I trace the rainbow through the rain
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be
What kind of love is this?
That You would call me friend
What kind of love is this?
This is my heritage
Your song over all my years
My perfect inheritance
What kind of love, what kind of love is this!
O Cross that liftest up my head
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be
Passage: 1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,
“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”;
6 as he says also in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
(Hebrews 5:1–10)
Musical Reflection: O Sacred Head Now Wounded by Hans Leo Hassler
Reflection Notes: This tune by Hassler is most famously set with the text “O Sacred, Now Wounded;” the most common harmonization was popularized by J.S. Bach in his St. Matthew Passion. It conveys the pathos of Christ’s death with deep sincerity.
Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.