Sunday Afternoon Music Videos: Canticle of the Turning

The readings today spoke of difficult mercies: prophets sent to the hard of heart, an angel of Satan sent to keep Paul from becoming "too elated" as one translation has it, the poignant Gospel of Mark where Jesus' neighbors and friends cannot comprehend who he is...turning him out.

We didn't sing this piece today — but the text speaks to me of the mercies we are offered, the gradual way in which fire and water soften the stone of our hearts, and the power that can perfect even our weaknesses. I enjoyed the power of this arrangement, which literally shook my desk. The voice of the Lord, full of power.

My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all the tears, For the dawn draw near, And the world is about to turn.

Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me,
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn,
You will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn.

--Canticle of the Turning/Rory Cooney