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| COMMENT: HYMN - BREAKING BREAD | ||
'Lord, have mercy' (Greek Kyrie Eleison) are the exact words in the order used (in the Greek New Testament) by the Father of
the epileptic son
and the two blind men
when addressing Jesus.
By the fourth century, Christians had adopted the phrases, and made a three-fold prayer: to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. It was, and often still is, called the 'Kyrie Eleison'. My hymn uses the triple-Kyrie form in prayer to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, and concludes with a Doxology to God in Trinity. The Breaking of the Bread is one of the Biblical terms
and therefore can most easily be used by all Christians whatever other, or later term they know their tradition
generally uses.
The last lines of each of the first three verses progress from 'at' , through 'in', to 'from' the Breaking of the Bread. In this way I hoped to indicate that blessing in Church is given to enable us to go from it in service and witness. |
| HYMN - BREAKING BREAD | ||
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Suggested tune; 'Waltham' (H. Albert) 8.7.8.7.
1. Father God, the Lord, Creator, by whose hand we all are fed; in your mercy re-create us, at the Breaking of the Bread. 2. Christ our Lord, be present with us, risen victorious from the dead! In your mercy may we know you in the Breaking of the Bread. 3. Holy Spirit, God's empowering, by whose life the church is led; in your mercy, send us strengthened from the Breaking of the Bread. 4. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, hear our praises – sung and said. From our hearts comes our Thanksgiving for the Breaking of the Bread. John Richards, 1988, Copyright waived for users of Help for Christians.co.uk |