Encounter – Share the Journey
Our Lenten ‘theme’ has been on my mind for a while now as I prayed about and prepared the music for Lent. While planning music that would draw us into the spirit of the season of Lent with our more traditional Lenten hymns and songs, I also wanted to select music that would allow us to musically be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters that we are journeying with through our CRS Rice Bowl project. This series of columns in the next few weeks will give you some background as to why I selected several of our Lenten hymns and songs.
“I want Jesus to walk with me”
Our brothers and sisters at St. Michael’s parish here in Milwaukee, many of whom are African Americans and immigrants, use this song often in their Lenten season. “The slaves’ association with Jesus was of such a personal nature, that they believed Jesus accompanied them daily on their earthly journey and helped them endure its pains and sorrows. They firmly believed this companionship would take them to freedom, and ultimately to heaven.” (In Their Own Words, Eileen Guenther –Morningstar) As we sing it this Lent, my hope is that we too ask Jesus to walk with us and our brothers and sisters around the world as we walk this pilgrim journey to heaven together.
~Mary Robertson, Director of Liturgy and Music