“You are God”
Prior to my seminary years, I often visited monastic communities to get away from the world as I knew it. Living and working in the Washington D.C. area could be overwhelming at best. The busyness was consuming as it touched every area of my life. Finding peace away from the hustle and bustle became my greatest challenge. Lent was a time for me to pull back and refocus. For 40 days and 40 nights, I would take on the spiritual disciplines of prayer, study and fasting with the intention of walking with Jesus in His journey to the cross.
One year during Holy Week and the first week of Easter, I checked into a Benedictine Monastery. For two weeks, I lived in this community following their rule of life. Together with the monks, I experienced the heaviness of Holy Week while ultimately being led to the celebration of Easter. I learned how the Gregorian chants sung in Daily Office would transition from passion to glory. It was here I was introduced to the “Te Deum laudamus,” which means “We praise you God.” Found in ”The Book of Common Prayer” on page 95, Canticle 21 is a perfect Easter response to the miracle of the empty tomb. Structured much like our Creeds, it is a form of worship which allows me to block out the noise of the world and focus on the work of our Triune God.
You are God Te Deum laudamus
You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord; we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not shun the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
