Songs for Lent

Song 6: Near, and Dear

March 11/First Tuesday of Lent  Near is the LORD to the brokenhearted, and the crushed in spirit he saves. ~ Ps 34.19 The days march along in their regular rhythm, one after another.  Then — an unexpected death, a sudden job loss, a betrayal, and we are brought to our knees, shocked and sorrowing.  The Hebrew conveys it even more…

Continue Reading

Songs for Lent

Song 5: The Three Rs

March 10/First Monday of Lent The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes;the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true…

Continue Reading

Songs for Lent

Song 4: A User Guide

March 8/Saturday after Ash Wednesday Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you.be gracious to me, O LORD, for to you do I cry all day long.Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift…

Continue Reading

Songs for Lent

Song 3: Giving It Up

March 7/Friday after Ash Wednesday For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God,you will not despise.  ~ Ps 51. 18-19 When I was a little girl, the looming arrival of Lent brought on…

Continue Reading

Songs for Lent

March 6/Thursday after Ash Wednesday

March 6/Thursday after Ash Wednesday Blessed are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. ~ Ps 1.1-2 “Are we there yet?”  Before the advent of personal…

Continue Reading

Songs for Lent

Song 1: Rules of Engagement

March 5/Ash Wednesday  Have mercy on me, God, according to your steadfast love;according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. ~ Ps 51.3 We arrive on the threshold of Lent, this Ash Wednesday 2025, perhaps stunned and a bit battle-weary.  With daily political disruptions and system shocks and angry critiques swirling madly around us, we need a pause, a…

Continue Reading

Songs for Lent

Coming Soon: Songs for Lent

Ash Wednesday, which inaugurates the penitential season of Lent, will be on March 5 this year.  I will again offer a daily reflection on the psalm verses from the lectionary, accompanied by music, imagery, and a prayer as well as a link to the readings. For readers who are newer to the reflections, a word about why I have chosen…

Continue Reading

Songs for Lent

Song 40: A Gracious Plenty

March 30/Holy SaturdayEaster Vigil You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills,  By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches. From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.   LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you…

Continue Reading

Songs for Lent

Song 39: Broken

March 29/Good Friday I am forgotten like the unremembered dead; I am like a dish that is broken. ~ Ps 31.12-13 Years ago I had the opportunity to help create a mosaic, and participating in that process intensified my fascination with the form.  The process of taking irregular and broken pieces of colored stone, glass or ceramic and creating a…

Continue Reading

Songs for Lent

Song 38: Debt Service

March 28/Holy Thursday What shall I return to the LORD for all his benefits to me?The cup of salvation I will raise, and on the name of the Lord will I call. ~ Ps 116.12-13 At the day’s end, I spend a few moments reflecting on the gifts that God has given me.  They can be large — decent health,…

Continue Reading