Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
This blogcast explores “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" written and read by Jonathan Sitko.
In this blog post, Jonathan reflects on the popular Advent hymn and it’s connection to the Nativity of Christ.
As a brief refresher, it is a song whose lyrics are based on the Divine Liturgy of St. James and has been used as a hymn in Greek since around the third or fourth century. Speaking about the awesome power of Christ and his gift to us through the Eucharist in vanquishing the powers of hell and bringing eternal light, this hymn was revitalized during the Oxford Movement of the 19th Century and adapted to English. For Catholics, we believe in the Real Presence, so our understanding and awe hopefully go much deeper when sung with lyrics such as:
“King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heav'nly food.”
For me, this song about Christ Jesus descending and giving of his own life and blood for us – simply because he loves us – is a powerful and calming reminder of what Advent is really about. It is not just about Christmas, and the gift giving, or even just the celebration of Christ’s birth. His birth is not what saved humanity. It was his sacrificial death and gift of the Eucharist that provides us that opportunity to join him in heaven for eternity as fulfillment of the covenant between God and his people. In a season with some of the darkest and coldest days for us in America, a song like this helps us remember that even in our darkest moments, Christ is there as a hopeful light. While the season of Advent is wrapping up, I invite you to take a few moments during your busy season to reflect on the power and awesome love of God’s gift to us, and the preparations we need to make for his return.
Author:
Jonathan Sitko is the Director of Programs for the Catholic Apostolate Center, where he focuses on managing and implementing programmatic elements of the Center. His work also includes coordinating relationships with the Center’s affiliates and collaborating organizations, including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, St. Joseph’s College Online, and SLIconnect – an online formation ministry at St. Luke’s Institute. He also manages program development for any Center-focused programs and production, including webinars and videos, websites and online resources, podcasts and other audio productions, and events.
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