The Holy Name of Jesus

Bowing the Head at Hearing the Holy Name

The custom of bowing the head at the mention of His Name was formally written into law at the Second Council of Lyons, A.D. 1274, convened by Pope Gregory X:

"Those who assemble in church should extol with an act of special reverence that Name which is above every Name, than which no other under Heaven has been given to people, in which believers must be saved, the Name, that is, of Jesus Christ, Who will save His people from their sins. Each should fulfill in himself that which is written for all, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow; whenever that glorious Name is recalled, especially during the sacred Mysteries of the Mass, everyone should bow the knees of his heart, which he can do even by a bow of his head."

O Divine Jesus, Thou hast promised that anything we ask of the Eternal Father in Thy name shall be granted.

O Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus, for the love of Jesus, in fulfillment of this promise, and because Jesus has said it, grant us our petitions for the sake of Jesus, Thy Divine Son. Amen.

Source: The Prayer Book by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

Lord, we do not presume to come to thee

They will gaze on Him whom they have pierced.

Lord, we do not presume to come to thee
As equals or as those of high degree,
But on our knees we cry and sing to thee.
Alleluia!

Great is our Lord who heals the broken heart,
Who saves the weak and bids us do our part
To conquer evil and God's love impart.
Alleluia!

Lord Jesus Christ, we know the time is near
For that great day when thou wilt soon appear.
By thy good Spirit help us persevere.
Alleluia!

O help us grow in living faith and grace
Until we see thy mercy face to face,
And with thy saints in glory take our place.
Alleluia!

---

Words: Copyright © 1995 by Vincent Uher. All rights reserved.
Tune: Engelberg
Meter: 10 10 10 with Alleluia

Christ be our sure foundation

Christ be our sure foundation.
Christ be our cornerstone.
Build up from every nation
a people of your own.
Blest through your font of mercy,
blest be each living stone
of faith alive in witness
Fair Christ, by all be known.

The art of Christian living
adorns each day like dawn,
the work of Christ the Master
through people weak and strong.
Those hurt hands fashion wonders
with thorns, wood, nails and sin
till we shine like church windows,
bright Light of Christ within.

Beyond the words of sages,
more sure than scholars' claims,
You are the one who answers
and knows us by our names.
You know how we are tempted
to doubt and lose our way.
Be first in all our thinking
and last at end of day.

O Jesus, ever near us,
uplifting us through fears,
your tender mercies give us
the strength to stand through tears.
Your pow'rful arms embrace us
when we are at our end.
Christ, carry us to safety
with you all time to spend.

Words: Copyright © 2003 Vincent Uher. All rights reserved.
Tune: Thornbury
Meter: 76 76 D

Christ the Good Shepherd

Gentle Reader,

Here is a first draft of a hymn text I wrote last night after praying the 23rd Psalm. Having prayed that psalm so often one might think its value or meaning had been exhausted, but I find it ever fresh, a spring that never runs dry. And when I am suffering, as indeed I am at the moment, I find it a great window with a vista onto what is most beautiful and most true about God and even my own heart's aspirations. Physical difficulties pale in comparison to such tender mercies from Christ the Good Shepherd and Just Judge. There are echoes of the Book of Common Prayer and probably the Bay Psalm Book which together with my own turns of phrase seek to express the Christian meaning of the psalm with all the joy one can muster.

I hope you enjoy reading this first draft which is meant to be sung to the tune Lasst uns erfreuen — the tune normally used for "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones". God bless and keep you.




Bishop and Guardian of my soul,
Shepherd who keeps me safe and whole, Alleluia ...
Lead me in righteousness always,
For thy Name's sake, within thy ways. Alleluia ...

By clearest waters make me rest.
Restore my soul to brave each test. Alleluia ...
Though death's dark valley be my track.
Nothing I fear; nothing I lack. Alleluia ...

O thou art with me night and day.
My strength and comfort on the Way. Alleluia ...
I feast upon thy gifts divine —
Thy Flesh from bread, thy Blood from wine. Alleluia ...

With oil anoint me, O my King.
Of thee forever will I sing. Alleluia ...
Mercy and goodness fill my days
then home with thee — all shall be praise. Alleluia ...


Words: Copyright © 2007 by Vincent Uher
Tune: Laßt uns erfreuen

Hymn to Jesus

Jesus, Son of Mary,
David's heir, we praise thee.
King and High Priest, we acclaim thee
Splendour of the heavens
As a tiny baby,
Child divine of our dear Lady.
Earth doth stand
In thy hand
Past and future holding,
Love and grace enfolding.

Jesus, raised by Joseph,
Master of construction,
Artist and source of instruction.
Worker of great wonders,
To life raising Lazarus,
Bearer of our sins and sadness.
Nails and cross,
Blood and loss
Sacrifice and mystery.
Masterpiece of mercy.

Jesus Christ, now risen,
In thy mercy listen
To our needs and each petition
Show us how to serve thee
At this urgent hour.
How we need thy grace and power!
Earth still spins,
Mired in sins,
People God-defying.
Innocents are crying.

Jesus, good Physician,
Heal thy Church we pray thee.
By thy Blood defend her daily.
Purify the nations.
Cleanse the ranks of shepherds.
Wash away all false endeavors.
Let us be
One with thee,
Will and purpose pleasing,
Heart and soul appealing.


Words: Copyright © 2002 Vincent Uher. All rights reserved.
Tune: Tysk
Meter: 668 668 666

More precious than all sacred books

More precious than all sacred books
Are you, Lord Christ, the Living Word.
You speak God's life, but who will hear
When we would fight — pride as our sword

........God is our Maker. God is Love.
........God sends us courage from above.


O Saviour, Friend, we must repent,
But who knows how, where to begin?
Open our ears to heed your voice
Before we break your heart again.

........God is our Maker. God is Love.
........God sends us courage from above.


Should we not love as you love us
And drink that Cup which would not pass,
Nail all our wants upon the Cross,
And in you find our needs surpassed?

........God is our Maker. God is Love.
........God sends us courage from above.


Lest idle fears become false gods,
We will trust God, fear no one else;
Return to Christ with every breath
By loving neighbours as ourselves.

........God is our Maker. God is Love.
........God sends us courage from above.


Copyright © 2006 by Vincent Uher
Suggested tunes: Old 113th, alt., St. Catherine, Ryburn (Norman Cocker)

O Christ the King

O Christ the King, the royal banners rise.
Thy Cross, thy standard we raise to the skies,
And hail thee, “Lord!” and bow before thine eyes.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

Transfigured thou upon the mountain’s height
Revealed the glory of the Bridegroom’s face
And showed to them thy purpose and thy Light.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Cross, thy throne where thou wast lifted high
Embracing all the broken world’s dark heart
Till blood and water gushed when pierced was thine.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

Death could not hold thee, nor a tomb contain,
O Love and Life, who now from heav’n dost reign,
The King of kings, the Lord who healeth pain.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

____________________________
Copyright © 2006 by Vincent Uher
This text is sung to the tune Sine Nomine