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<\/a><\/p>\nDuring this time of fear and uncertainty in the COVID-19 wilderness, I\u2019ve decided to do something a little different. I\u2019m going to be daily using my blog to share texts and videos of hymns that pass along hope and comfort until the restrictions are lifted, and we can worship in our buildings once again. I hope you find them to be encouraging and edifying during this time. Take care, everyone. Wash your hands. And keep the faith.<\/em><\/p>\n Today\u2019s hymn is, without exaggeration, one of the greatest hymns ever written. J.R. Watson expounds on its theology:<\/p>\n \u201cThe Eucharistic theme is evident in verse 3, with its reference to Christ as the food and stay, to whom the sinful turn. At every point it is a spectacular and dramatic hymn, with its very allusive style, picking up biblical references in the manner of Charles Wesley. The most notable one is the idea of Jesus as High Priest (from Hebrews, chapters 3 to 9), and the vision of Revelation 5:9: \u2018Thou has redeemed us to God by the blood out of every <\/em>kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.\u2019 It is also closely linked with the feast of the Ascension in verse 2. Verse 3 of the hymn contains the great appeal to Jesus the intercessor and redeemer, which returns to the Eucharistic theme, though now linked with the ascended one in heaven; while in verse 4 the Incarnate Word, who was \u2018born of Mary\u2019 is now both priest and victim in the Eucharistic feast.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Here is St. John\u2019s in Detroit.<\/p>\n
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