“How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.”
I don’t think this is against Catholic doctrine. I know many Catholics who testify of a “conversion experience” where they came to realize that “Yes, I believe. I choose to follow Jesus and stay true to my baptismal vows.” They can actually state the day and even the hour that this happened. (In our church, many Catholics reach this point at a "Light of the World Retreat.)
In fact, I’ve been taught that ALL Catholics have to come to a place in their life where they assume the Baptismal vows for themselves and make a decision to truly follow Jesus and be a faithful Catholic.
I would think that at that particular “hour” in your life, when you realize all that God wants to do in your life and the heavenly home that He wants to make you perfect for, the grace that was given to you at your baptism would “appear” precious!
Also, for many Protestants like myself who convert, we realize that the Mediatrix of All Graces, the Blessed Virgin Mary, has been working all along to bring us home. She certainly appears “precious” to those of us who previously only knew her as the “womb” where Jesus hung out for nine months.
I’m not sure which verse assume OSAS. I’m guessing it’s the verse about “And when this flesh and heart shall fail and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil a life of joy and peace.”
I can go along with your objection to this verse, which, BTW, I have never heard sung even in Protestant churches. I found it in a Christian and Missionary Alliance Hymnal, but we never sang it. I’ve not seen it in other hymnals, but it must be there since you’ve seen it, too.
I think the answer to Catholic objections to the verse is to simply eliminate this verse when you sing the song. The rest of the song is OK.
A lot of Protestants eliminate “Catholic” verses from various hymns. So we can play the same game, can’t we?
The fact is, it’s the most popular hymn in the U.S., and one of the few hymns that almost everyone, even complete non-church goers, kind of know. (It is usually played at police and firefighter funerals.)
When Catholic Churches sing this hymn, it helps non-Catholics to feel at home a little. This may make them inclined to investigate the Catholic Church more fully, and this may lead to their conversion to Catholicism. I think for the sake of the one Protestant soul that may be brought home, it’s worth playing a hymn with a few questionable words.
If we are going to start eliminating hymns from the hymnal, I say get rid of the Martin Luther hymn “A Mighty Fortress.” After all, Martin Luther caused quite a rift in the church.
And while we’re at it, let’s not allow the traditional Wedding March to be played at any Catholic wedding. Richard Wagner was a virtiolic anti-Semite and his opera “Parsifal” inspired Hitler to create a new religion which called for the destruction of all Jews.
You see, this elimination game can get a little silly. I say glean all the good you can out of any music that is sung at Mass, be aware of and discuss (especially with children and teenagers) some of the shortfalls and doctrinal errors of some of the songs, and practice charity in all things.
BTW, I think it would be an interesting book for someone to write–“non-Catholic teachings in popular hymns.” Not to insult the hymns and their writers, but to inform Catholics so that they don’t absorb errors.
