Lands Afar and Mine

On Sunday, I went to the 12:45 p.m. Mass at the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral. The liturgy was celebrated by Monsignor Donald Sakano.

The Gospel reading, from Luke Chapter 10, was the account of Jesus' commissioning of the 72 disciples. I posted the passage in 2007.

For reflections on Sunday's scriptures, visit Deacon Greg, A Concord Pastor, Fran, City Father, Bishop Gumbleton and Fr. Tito.

In his homily, Fr. Tito attributes a good quote on discipleship to Cardinal Seán: "We are fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium."

Mass at Old St. Pat's ended with the hymn "This Is My Song." I thought it was a fitting selection for a Sunday that also was Independence Day.

For your consideration:



Lyrics:

This is my song, O God of all the nations,
a song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is;
here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine.
But other hearts in other lands are beating
with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country's skies are bluer than the ocean,
and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight too, and clover,
and skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
O hear my song, thou God of all the nations,
a song of peace for their land and for mine.

This is my prayer, O Lord of all earth's kingdoms,
thy kingdom come, on earth, thy will be done.
Let Christ be lifted up 'til all shall serve him,
and hearts united, learn to live as one.
O hear my prayer, thou God of all the nations.
Myself I give thee; let thy will be done.