This setting of Psalm 34, “Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord” (the responsorial for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year C) is in a pseudo-gospel/blues style. Obviously this is not going to appeal to every parish, but some congregations will really appreciate the unusual approach.

While planning music for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, focusing on God’s love and grace is the order of the day, but we don’t want to stray too far from the need for repentance, either.

Selecting music for the Third Sunday of Lent (Year C) was pretty tough, only because I couldn’t get a handle on what the Exodus reading had to do with Gospel. When choosing music for Mass, I try to figure out what the connection is between the readings, and then find songs and hymns that illustrate, illuminate, or expand on those ideas.

But the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent were a bit tough this time…

The songs for the Second Sunday of Lent need to do two things. We must do our best to help our congregations experience the mountaintop. Through the words and the music (what is written, and how we play/sing it), we can give people a sense of God’s great loving promise, and Christ’s transcendent light.

But we cannot lull people into a complacent sense of “isn’t this inspiring.” We cannot let ourselves or our congregations build a tent up there or tarry long…

This new hymn text for the Second Sunday of Lent, Year C (the Transfiguration), is an attempt to capture what I see as the throughline of the day’s readings: God keeps promises, and God’s ultimate promise is that we shall stand in God’s presence, seeing God face to face, and this encounter will sanctify us.

There are simply not enough songs for the First Sunday of Lent (Year C). Humbly, then, I offer you this new hymn text, inspired by the lectionary passages of that Sunday.

The readings for the First Sunday of Lent brings us into the desert. Indeed, Lent is a desert season- a time when we find ourselves in that place of reflection, purification, testing, and enlightenment. Our ancestor in faith was in the desert, a “wandering Aramean.” Jesus, too, our brother as much as our Lord, is tempted and tested in the desert.

As Lent begins this year, and you find yourself planning your Ash Wednesday service, push yourself to expand your musical choices. Find the right songs and find the right styles. Consider instrumentation, consider voicing, consider speed, consider style, consider Christian musical traditions outside of your own.