“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
Meditative singing in Taizé worship
To open the gates of trust in God, nothing can replace the beauty of human voices united in song.
Singing is one of the most essential elements of Taizé-style worship. The “songs of Taizé” are sung in different languages. Short and simple, they are based upon scripture and repeated, express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, this reality gradually penetrates the whole being. Meditative singing thus becomes a way of listening to God. It allows everyone to take part in a time of prayer together and to remain together in attentive waiting on God.
These songs also sustain personal prayer. Through them, little by little, our being finds an inner unity in God. They can continue in the silence of our hearts when we are at work, speaking with others or resting. In this way prayer and daily life are united. They allow us to keep on praying even when we are unaware of it, in the silence of our hearts.
Song 1
Here is a new song to learn: Herre visa mig vӓgen
Lord show me the way, and make me ready to follow it…
Lord show me the way, give peace to my heart.
Song 2
In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful….
In the Lord, I’ll be ever thankful In the Lord, I will rejoice Look up to God, do not be afraid Lift up your voices, the Lord is near
Psalm 85
O Lord, you once favoured your land
and revived the fortunes of Jacob,
you forgave the guilt of your people
and covered all their sins.
Will you not restore again our life
that your people may rejoice in you?
Let us see, O Lord, your mercy
and give us your saving help.
I will hear what the Lord has to say
a voice that speaks of peace,
peace for his people and friends
and those who turn to God in their hearts.
Salvation is near for the God-fearing,
and Glory will dwell in our land.
Mercy and faithfulness have met;
justice and peace have embraced.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
and justice look down from heaven.
The Lord will make us prosper
and our earth shall yield its fruit.
Justice shall march in the forefront
and peace shall follow the way.
(from Psalm 85)
Old Testament Reading: from the Prophet Isaiah
On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.
In that day they will say,
“Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
(Isaiah 25:6-9)
New Testament Reading: from Mark’s Gospel
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,” John the baptiser appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptised you with water; but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 1,1-8
Song 3 -Dans nos obscurités, allume le feu qui ne s’éteint jamais
Within our darkest night, you kindle the fire that never dies away….
Silence
There are three Taizé services each day in France and each one includes a period of silence.
Song 4 Veni, Sancte Spirtus
(sung by an international virtual choir)
Come Holy Spirit….
Intercessions
O Wisdom, coming from the mouth of the Most High! You reign over all things from one end of the earth to the other; come and teach us the way of wisdom.
—Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Lord and Head of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai; come with outstretched arm and ransom us.
—Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Morning Star, Splendour of Light eternal and bright Sun of justice; come and shine on all who live in darkness and in the shadow of death.
—Lord Jesus, come soon!
O King of the nations, you alone can fulfil their desires; Cornerstone, you make opposing nations one; come and save us. You formed us all from clay.
—Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Emmanuel, Hope of the nations and their Saviour; come and save us, Lord our God.
—Lord Jesus, come soon!
The Spirit and the Bride say, Come!
—Lord Jesus, come soon!
Amen!
Song 5 Oh Lord, Hear my prayer
Oh Lord, Hear my prayer, Come and listen to me…..
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Song 6 (sung by Voirrey Carr)
Bless the Lord and bless God’s only name, Who leads me into light…..
Blessing
Bless us, Christ Jesus; in you, our hearts find joy.
May God the Son, the light of the world, come among us in power,
And reveal in our midst the promise of his glory. Amen.
2020 Advent reflection from Taizé: Let there be light!
At the start of this Advent, Taizé brother, Jean Marc, speaks about Isaiah 9:2:
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (5 mins)
