So, if last week was a time to let movies be the trigger for the pandemerings, then it would appear this week’s trigger is music. Today, we move from the Beatles and Aerosmith to Catholic liturgical musician Dan Schutte, who in 1981 wrote the hymn “Here I am, Lord”. It was based on Isaiah 6.8 and 1 Samuel 3 in the Hebrew Scriptures – but it also connects to one of my personal favourite scripture passages (1 Peter 4.10) How best can we respond to the Lords call but to use God’s gifts in the service of others?
The lyrics to the song are …. I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry, All who dwell in dark and sin, My hand will save. I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Chorus – Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me – I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain. I have wept for love of them – They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone. Who will speak my word to them? Whom shall I send? (Chorus)
I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them – My hand will save. Finest bread I will provide, ‘Til their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life to them, Whom shall I send? (Chorus)
I think many of my generation are moved by this song because it reminds us that each one of our lives has meaning and purpose. It reminds us that the path to fulfilment in our life lies precisely in responding to Gods call, and putting our gifts and talents into service by building a community of love and mutual respect – respect for each other, respect for creation, and respect for the Creator.
As the words of the hymn remind us, we are called to open our ears to hear the people’s cries, and to hear God calling in the night. To open our eyes to see the light in the darkness, to open our hearts to feel the pain of our brothers and sisters, to open our hands to tend to the broken and marginalized.
It is our personal call to ministry, and regardless of the situations we find ourselves in, we can respond in some way to that call, even during a pandemic. Maybe sometime today you can have Spotify, or Siri or Google or Alexa or YouTube play “Here I am Lord” as you reflect on how God is calling you in this special time.