3M Reflection & Hymn - Gather to Sing as One

Gather to Sing as One - Lk 13: 22-30 C Wk 21 Sunday 0:00 Begin 3:31 Hymn For more Gospel reflections and hymns: https://patricianbrothers.org/patrici... To contribute to the Delany Foundation with supports the Patrician Brothers missions and schools in Papua New Guinea, Ghana, and Kenya: https://www.bpoint.com.au/payments/de... Delany Foundation video:    • Delany Foundation - 2021   A reflection based on the Sunday readings Isaiah 66:18–21, Hebrews 12:5–7, 11–13, and Luke 13:22–30: The readings remind us of the paradox of God’s mercy and His demanding call. In Isaiah, the Lord declares His plan to gather people from every nation and tongue, making them one in worship. This vision of universality points to a Kingdom without boundaries, where God Himself chooses and sends forth messengers—even from among those once far off. God’s plan is inclusive, yet it requires faithfulness, obedience, and readiness to be formed by His hand. The Letter to the Hebrews grounds this vision in the reality of discipleship. God’s love often comes to us clothed in discipline. Just as a father corrects a child not out of anger but out of love, so too does God shape His people through trials. Discipline is not rejection but a sign of belonging. It produces holiness, peace, and strength if we endure with faith. “Lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees” is a call to persevere with courage, knowing God works through suffering to bring maturity and fruitfulness. Luke’s Gospel adds a sobering reminder: the way to life is narrow, and not all who think themselves secure will enter. Proximity to Jesus is not enough; it is not enough to eat and drink in His presence without true conversion. The invitation is urgent: strive to enter by the narrow gate, which is the path of humility, service, sacrifice, and love. The reversal Jesus proclaims—“some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last”—warns us that the Kingdom overturns earthly measures of success. Taken together, these readings call us to a faith that is both expansive and disciplined: expansive because God’s Kingdom embraces all peoples, and disciplined because entering it requires sincerity, endurance, and obedience. To be chosen by God is to walk the hard way of the cross, yet also to share in His glory. We are called to mission, to holiness, and to perseverance. The narrow way leads to the joy of a Kingdom where people of every nation rejoice together before the Lord. Let us pray. Lord of all nations, You gather peoples from every corner of the earth into the joy of Your Kingdom. Strengthen us to walk the narrow path of humility and love. When trials discipline us, let us see in them Your fatherly care. Renew our hearts, steady our steps, and guide us to endure with courage. Keep us vigilant, that we may not presume but persevere in faith. May our lives proclaim Your mercy, and may we join the great multitude from every nation in worship before Your throne. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Hymn: We Gather to Sing as One Chorus: From every nation, tribe, and tongue, We gather, Lord, to sing as one; Through narrow gates Your people go, To share the life Your love bestows. Verse 1: Your Spirit calls the world to see, A Kingdom wide, yet pure and free; The humble raised, the proud made low, Your mercy leads where we must go. Verse 2: Through trials deep Your hand sustains, Your love is present in our pains; Discipline shapes, and faith is tried, Till holiness is glorified. Chorus: From every nation, tribe, and tongue, We gather, Lord, to sing as one; Through narrow gates Your people go, To share the life Your love bestows. Verse 3: The narrow way is hard to bear, Yet grace and strength are always there; The last shall rise, the first shall fall, For You, O Lord, are Lord of all. Chorus: From every nation, tribe, and tongue, We gather, Lord, to sing as one; Through narrow gates Your people go, To share the life Your love bestows. Bridge: Strengthen our hands, O Lord of grace, Guide every step, prepare the place; Till nations stand before Your throne, And sing the song of love alone. Verse 4: So lift our hearts, renew our song, With saints and angels we belong; All nations gathered, one in praise, To Christ the Lamb, our endless days. Chorus: From every nation, tribe, and tongue, We gather, Lord, to sing as one; Through narrow gates Your people go, To share the life Your love bestows. Style Description: A reverent, processional-style hymn with a steady, moderate tempo. Verses alternate between male and female solo leads, supported by the choir in SATB harmony. The chorus is sung by the full choir with strong, blended voices, while the bridge features call-and-response between soloists and choir. Suitable for liturgical use, especially in mission, unity, and discipleship themes.