The Summons

There were so many signs of God's grace present at our littler lass's baptism yesterday, from the family and friends who celebrated with us to the music at the Mass.  Before Mass began and again at the preparation of the gifts, we heard John Bell's  The Summons, a song that resonates deeply with us as it was the processional at our wedding a little over six years ago.

While it is beautiful and moving in any instrumentation and voicing, it was simply awesome presented as it was at our wedding with my college music theory professor -- a mentor and friend -- in command of the massive organ and a dear friend and fellow liturgical musician serving as cantor for the wedding Mass leading the congregation in singing.

I have often pondered the text of this song, every time finding something different that speaks to me in that moment.    Yesterday, it was this verse that spoke to me, both as a mother and about the commitment we have made on her behalf and hope that she will one day take ownership of:

Will you come and follow me
If I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know
And never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
Will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown
In you and you in me?

At our wedding, the lengthy procession included altar servers, several priests, our wedding party of relatives and friends as close as family, our parents, and us.   My beloved and I processed in together as ministers of the sacrament of marriage together following our parents.

The music filled the church and the procession began.  My beloved and I waited, though, until the final verse:

Lord, your summons echoes true
When you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you
And never be the same.
In your company I’ll go
Where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow
In you and you in me.

The challenge is as pertinent today -- if not more so -- than it was that morning we married.  

*blink*

Our littler lass was baptized this morning along with a boy about three years old.  The families gathered to watch and pray as these children were brought before the Lord by parents and Godparents committed to raising their children to know, love, and serve God.   We were strangers to each other, but we now share a common bond in faith, having celebrated this sacrament of baptism together today.

As the energetic toddler squirmed and squealed through parts of the Rite of Baptism, I tried to stay focused on the prayers.  Many a liturgy have I dealt with bambini in similar humors.  Not wanting to embarrass the mother any more than she might have already been, I didn't look in their direction.  At one point, though, as we shuffled around for the various aspects of the baptism, our eyes did meet.

I smiled at her and looked away just as she started to smile back.  I wish I hadn't looked away so quickly.  I realized too late that her expression had changed from one that might be described as nervous, irritated, or edgy to one of relief and even friendliness.  As soon as the Rite was concluded, I took the lass to a quiet spot to nurse and did not have a chance to introduce myself to or converse with the mother. 

I hope in that blink of the eye, that mother came to realize that I was her peer in this endeavor of raising children according to God's will, no matter us not having met before, and that I wished her peace and fortitude.

For her son and our lass, I pray these words from the Rite of Baptism:

"The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, 

and your mouth to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father."

Amen.