Throughout the coming weeks we, as a congregation of Roseville Lutheran Church, will be delving into Gospel of Luke as we explore the theme “Joy in Every Season.”  Maybe it is because I am spending so much time in Luke that the hymn “Canticle of the Turning” is playing on repeat in my mind. 

Penned in 1989 by Rory Cooney for his parish, St. Jerome in Phoenix, Arizona, Cooney set out to use the themes found in Luke throughout the entire season of the church year. He wrote the words and set them to the familiar tune of Mary’s “Magnificat.” 

According to some church scholars, the songs found in Luke’s gospel may have been pre-existing Christian hymns that he wrote back into the story of Jesus. In the words of Cooney, “It’s as if [Luke said}, ‘Here’s how our song got started; see them again as part of the bigger story.’”

Maybe that is why it keeps playing over and over in my head - THIS is how our song started. This moment in time, this place in history, this is all part of the bigger story! 

In these times of unrest, pandemic and uncertainty, I give to you today, these words from the “Canticle of the Turning.” May they serve for you today as a proclamation! May they serve for you today as both song and prayer. Thanks be to God!

– Pastor Lauren J. Wrightsman 

Canticle of the Turning

My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the one who waits.
You fixed your sight on the servant’s plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn,
So from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn? (Refrain)

Refrain:
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears,
For the dawn draws near,
And the world is about to turn.

Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me.
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and those who would for you yearn,
You will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn. (Refrain)

From the halls of power to the fortress tower,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
every tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
These are tables spread, ev’ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn. (Refrain)

Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forbears heard
is the promise that holds us bound,
‘Til the spear and rod be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around. (Refrain)

How can we keep from singing?
May the blessings of Christ’s joy be with you this day. 

P.S. Here is a beautiful rendition of this hymn: