Take and eat (Michael Joncas)

Refrain: 

Take and eat; take and eat: 
this is my body given up for you. 
Take and drink; take and drink: 
this is my blood given up for you.

1. I am the Word that spoke and light was made;
I am the seed that died to be re-born;
I am the bread that comes from heaven above;
I am the vine that fills your cup with joy.

2. I am the way that leads the exile home;
I am the truth that sets the captive free;
I am the life that raises up the dead;
I am your peace, true peace my gift to you.

3. I am the Lamb that takes away your sin;
I am the gate that guards you night and day;
You are my flock; you know the shepherd's voice;
You are my own; your ransom is my blood.

Composer:  Jan Michael Joncas

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Bread of Life, Hope of the World (Bernadette Farrell)

Refrain:

Bread of life, hope of the world,
Jesus Christ, our brother;
feed us now, give us life,
lead us to one another.

1. As we proclaim your death as we recall your life,
We remember your promise to return again.

2. The bread we break and share was scattered once as grain:
Just as now it is gathered, make your people one.

3. We eat this living bread, we drink this saving cup:
Sign of hope in our broken world, source of lasting  love.

4. Hold us unity, in love for all to see;
That the world may believe in you, God of all who live.

5. You are the bread of peace, you are the wine of joy,
Broken now for your people, poured in endless love.

Composer: Bernadette Farrell (1982)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series. 

Gather the People (Dan Schutte)

Refrain:

Gather the people, enter the feast,
all are invited, the greatest and least.
The banquet is ready, now to be shared.
Join in the heavenly feast that God has prepared.

1. Around this table we dine as kin,
beloved family of God.
We share the body of Christ the Lord.
Here we become what we eat. (Refrain)

2. Around this table God's bounty falls
on all who hunger and thirst.
We drink the fullness of Christ the Lord,
so we become what we eat. (Refrain)

3. Around this table our hearts rejoice
in love that’s stronger than death.
We’ll rise in glory with Christ the Lord,
then we become what we eat. (Refrain)

Composer: Dan Schutte (2004)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.   

Join in the Dance (Dan Shutte)

Refrain
Join in the dance of the earth's jubilation!
This is the feast of the love of God.
Shout from the heights to the ends of creation:
Jesus the Savior is risen from the grave!

1. Wake, O people; sleep no longer:
greet the breaking day!
Christ, Redeemer, Lamb and Lion,
turns the night away! (Refrain)

2. All creation, like a mother,
labors to give birth.
Soon the pain will be forgotten,
joy for all the earth! (Refrain)

3. Now our shame becomes our glory
on this holy tree.
Now the reign of death is ended;
now we are set free! (Refrain)

4. None on earth, no prince or power,
neither death nor life,
nothing now can ever part us
from the love of Christ! (Refrain)

5. Love's triumphant day of vict'ry
heaven opens wide.
On the tree of hope and glory
death itself has died! (Refrain)

6. Christ forever, Lord of ages,
Love beyond our dreams:
Christ, our hope of heaven's glory,
all that yet will be! (Refrain)

Composer: Dan Schutte (b. 1947)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

This is a Day of New Beginnings

1) This is a day of new beginnings,
time to remember and move on,
Time to believe what love is bringing,
laying to rest the pain that's gone.

2) For by the life and death of Jesus,
God's mighty spirit, now as then,
Can make for us a world of difference,
as faith and hope are born again.

3) Then let us, with the spirit's daring,
step from the past and leave behind
Our disappointment, guilt, and grieving,
seeking new paths, and sure to find.

4) Christ is alive, and goes before us
to show and share what love can do.
This is a day of new beginnings,
our God is making all things new.

5) In faith we'll gather 'round the table
to taste and share what love can do.
This is a day of new beginnings,
our God is making all things new.


Text: Brian Wren, 1978, 1983 
Tune: BEGINNINGS, by Carlton R. Young, 1987

Psalm 118: This is the Day (Marty Haugen)

Refrain:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

OR

This is the day the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad!
This is the day the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad!

1. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his mercy endures for ever;
Let the house of Israel say: “His mercy endures for ever.” (Refrain)

2. The hand of the LORD has struck with power, his right hand is exalted,
I shall not die, but live anew, declaring the works of the LORD. (Refrain)

3. The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,
the LORD of love and mercy has brought wonder to our eyes. (Refrain)

Composer: Marty Haugen

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

On this Day (Dies Domini)

1. On this day the first of days,
God’s most holy name we praise;
and who, creation’s Lord and spring,
did the world from darkness bring.

Refrain:
Dies Domini! Dies Domini!
On the Day of the Lord we rise and sing:
Dies Domini! Jubilate!
Praise and glory on this day!

2. On this day the eternal Christ
over death His triumph shines;
and on this day the Spirit came
with the gifts of living flame. (Refrain)

3. Loving God, Who did fashion us
image of Yourself we trust.
Come, fill us with Your love assured
and conform our wills to yours. (Refrain)

4. God, the blessed Three in One,
may Your holy will be done.
Now one with You with all above,
we send forth our hearts of love. (Refrain)

Text: Verses: Die parente temporum. Le Mans Breviary, 1748; tr. Henry W. Baker, 1821-1877.
Refrain: Ricky Manalo (2002)
Music: Ricky Manalo (2002)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.