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Musical
Musings
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 14, 2014
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The Name Above Every Other Name
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The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated September 14, supersedes the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Look at the Second Reading, from the Letter to the Philippians. Sound familiar? Verses 8-9 form the Gospel Acclamation for Good Friday.
Look at today’s Gospel Acclamation antiphon: “We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross, you have redeemed the world.” Sound familiar? During the Stations of the Cross, it begins each station.
Such links can indicate a useful direction for choosing today’s music selections. Schutte’s “Glory in the Cross” is a no-brainer, as is “Lift High the Cross.” But I would definitely include Christopher Walker’s Gospel-flavored “At the Name of Jesus,” because its verses explore the mystery of the cross more fully, expanding a familiar text with elegant simplicity and depth. It can serve well for the Preparation of Gifts or, because of its short, singable refrain, as a Communion song that doesn’t have to be “taught.”
Remember that the name of the feast is the Exaltation of the Holy Cross—not the Holy Crucifix. Try not to overemphasize Christ’s death to the point of diminishing his resurrection, musically or liturgically.
M.D. Ridge
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Copyright
© 2014 by M.D.Ridge
All
rights reserved.
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Art by Martin Erspamer, O.S.B.
from Religious Clip Art for the
Liturgical Year (A, B, and C).
Used by permission of Liturgy Training
Publications. This art may be reproduced
only by parishes who purchase the
collection in book or CD-ROM form. For
more information go to: http://www.ltp.org/
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