Fifth Sunday of Easter - This is the Feast

Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 18, 2014

Easter Canticles

One of the wonders of the liturgy of the historic Western church is the flexibility to do different things within the parameters of a relatively fixed order.  In a general sense, the liturgy follows the pattern of Gathering, Word, Meal, and Sending.  Specific elements that happen within that larger pattern often emphasize something about worship that is appropriate to a time of the year, a specific place, or a particular event.  For example, we tend to omit the Kyrie during the season of Easter, since some feel it has a penitential quality not desired during this joyful season. 

One part of the Gathering segment of the liturgy we often do celebrate during Easter is the canticle “Worthy Is Christ.”  You might know this better by the words of the refrain “This is the Feast.”  By definition, a canticle is a prose hymn that often comprises biblical words.  This particular canticle is a new addition to the liturgical repertoire, written by John Arthur in 1970.  The text draws images and words from the hymns in the book of Revelation, and “joins Passover and Easter with a glimpse of the eschatological kingdom.”[1]   Worthy is Christ is from Revelation 5:9; Power, riches . . .  is from Revelation 5:12 – 13; Sing with all the people of God is from Revelation 25:3-4, 19:5; and For the Lamb who was slain is from Revelation 11:17.  Though this is a new text in the liturgy, older settings included a similar canticle based upon the same biblical sources.  The musical setting we sing today is by Richard Hillert.  This particular setting has enjoyed ecumenical inclusion in a number of other denomination’s hymnals. 

Curiously, the fascination with Revelation texts extends into the music of the next generation of song writers for the church.  One particular song, Revelation Song, touches upon some of the same themes, albeit in a much different stylistic language.  Here you can see some of the similarities in text:

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain 
Holy, Holy is He 
Sing a new song to Him who sits on 
Heaven's Mercy Seat 

Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty 
Who was, and is, and is to come 
With all creation I sing: Praise to the King of Kings! 
You are my everything, and I will adore You                 (Jenny Lee Riddle)

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[1] Philip H. Pfatteicher and Carlos R. Messerli, “Manual on the Liturgy: Lutheran Book of Worship,” (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1979), 213.