Sunday, April 27, 2014
Second Sunday of Easter
Celtic Hymnody
We sing two hymns today that have origins in Ireland. However, these are sung not simply because
they are Irish; the texts expand the focus of the sermon this morning. Professor Deborah Goodwin, our guest
preacher, notes that both sermon and hymns explore themes of incarnation,
sacrament, and the Earth as metaphor for the body of God.
Our Hymn of the Day is “I Bind Unto Myself Today,” which is
also known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate.
At communion, we sing “Be Thou My Vision.” Both hymns have deep roots in the Irish
monastic tradition, reaching back to the 7th and 8th
centuries. And, both have some
connection (by legend) to Patrick, Bishop of Ireland. Paul Westermeyer notes that both hymns are
examples of a lorica, or breastplate. This type of text is something that was
chanted as a prayer for protection against spiritual enemies while arming
oneself (literally putting on armor) for battle or travel. By definition, lorica is a protective sheath.[1]
With regard to “I Bind unto Myself Today,” Westermeyer warns
against envisioning any sort of magical power the lorica might provide.
Rather, he emphasizes the aspect of remembrance and confidence we
experience when we proclaim ourselves bound to the powerful work of the
Trinity, through the church and in creation.
I find that the beautiful middle section of the hymn (“Christ be with
me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ beside me . . .”) is a lovely
statement of faith and evocation of the unceasing presence of Christ. This great hymn, with its robust and
energetic first melody that supports the ecstatic praise of creation (“the
whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks”), and the calm and graceful second melody,
is a joy to sing!
Be Thou My Vision is a particularly popular hymn, set to a
lovely Irish folk tune that expresses the peacefulness of the text. The tune, SLANE, receives its name from the
hill where, as legend tells, Patrick defied his king by lighting the Easter
Vigil fire.[2] Although this hymn is also a lorica, Paul Westermeyer notes that “it
functions more accurately for Christians as a prayer for the indwelling of
Christ with his attributes.”
One last note: The English
translation of “I Bind unto Myself Today” was written by Cecil Frances
Alexander, a nineteenth-century Irish writer who created several well-known
hymns. Three of her hymns were created
to accompany phrases of the Apostles’ Creed.
“All Things Bright and Beautiful” corresponds to the phrase “maker of
heaven and earth,” while “Once in Royal David’s City” comments upon the
statement “who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.” Last, “There is a green hill far away” reflects
upon the crucifixion.[3]
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