Bread of Life Song at Communion

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KarenM5

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Every time the song “Bread of Life” by Rory Cooney is sung during communion at our parish I am very bothered. I believe that there are theological errors in this song that we definitely should not be singing at communion. I have approached our music minister with my concens, but it hasn’t mattered. I would like to compose a letter to send to our priest and the music minister. I would appreciate any guidance to sources that would support my concerns.
 
The song is just quoting Our Lord’s words in the Gospel of John - mainly chapter 6 - how is there any theological error in it? :confused:
 
LilyM said:
The song is just quoting Our Lord’s words in the Gospel of John - mainly chapter 6 - how is there any theological error in it? :confused:
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You might be confusing this version with Sr. Suzanne Toolan’s version, which has gotten worse since the re-translation.

The song that the OP referenced is theologically dificient. It is not even suitable for use in Masses with children because it manages to water down the elements of the faith to the point that it downplays the august mystery of this most Holy Sacrament. Unfortunately, this is par for the cousrse with many of his songs and Mass settings.
 
benedictgal said:
You might be confusing this version with Sr. Suzanne Toolan’s version, which has gotten worse since the re-translation.

The song that the OP referenced is theologically dificient. It is not even suitable for use in Masses with children because it manages to water down the elements of the faith to the point that it downplays the august mystery of this most Holy Sacrament. Unfortunately, this is par for the cousrse with many of his songs and Mass settings.
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My bad :o didn’t notice the name of the songwriter in there. And I don’t like the retranslation either.

Maybe OP could post the lyrics for us? Can’t seem to find them on the internet.
 
LilyM said:
My bad :o didn’t notice the name of the songwriter in there. And I don’t like the retranslation either.

Maybe OP could post the lyrics for us? Can’t seem to find them on the internet.
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Here they are:

printandpraise.com/songprint/file/11297/preview/256085/145891.img

It really loses the point of what Holy Communion is and stresses being one with each other, while the sacredness and mystery of this Holy Sacrament is pretty much ignored. Jesus is almost an after-thought. But, that is pretty much the composer’s modus operandi, I’m afraid.
 
KarenM5 said:
Every time the song “Bread of Life” by Rory Cooney is sung during communion at our parish I am very bothered. I believe that there are theological errors in this song that we definitely should not be singing at communion. I have approached our music minister with my concens, but it hasn’t mattered. I would like to compose a letter to send to our priest and the music minister. I would appreciate any guidance to sources that would support my concerns.
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It would be really helpful if you could let us know specifically what you are concerned about.
 
LilyM said:
But that one’s by Carey Landry - you sure it’s the same song?
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Now, my bad. Yes, I have heard the song mentioned by the OP and it is very bad. The theology is just plain horrible.
I, myself, am the bread of life. You and I are the bread of life, taken and shared, broken and blessed by Christ, that the world might live.
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…or, words to that effect.

Here is verse 2:
Here is God’s kingdom, given to us as food. This is our body This is our blood, a
living sign of God in Christ"
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We are not interchangeable with Christ. This is not our body and our blood that we are receiving at Holy Cmmunion; it is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. The song also places undue emphasis on the community and treats Jesus as an after-thought, even worse than Carey Landry’s taudry song which I mistakenly thought was what the OP noted.

One of the verses does not even refer to God as Father, merely calling him Maker.

Here is the text of the song:

printandpraise.com/songprint/file/11081/preview/252698/165469.img

It really is theologically deficient. Unfortunately, there are people who will defend this bad and nearly heretical song.

It is one of the worst songs ever written for use during Holy Communion. I don’t blame the OP one bit for doubting its bad theology. It really should not be sung in any Catholic Church.
 
benedictgal said:
Now, my bad. Yes, I have heard the song mentioned by the OP and it is very bad. The theology is just plain horrible.

…or, words to that effect.

Here is verse 2:

We are not interchangeable with Christ. This is not our body and our blood that we are receiving at Holy Cmmunion; it is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

One of the verses does not even refer to God as Father, merely calling him Maker.

Here is the text of the song:

printandpraise.com/songprint/file/11081/preview/252698/165469.img

It really is theologically deficient. Unfortunately, there are people who will defend this bad and nearly heretical song.

It is one of the worst songs ever written for use during Holy Communion. I don’t blame the OP one bit for doubting its bad theology.
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Now we’re getting somewhere 🙂

Yea verily those lyrics sucketh. :eek:

I agree, they suggest that we are interchangeable with Christ, and further that the Eucharist is not something substantial but merely ‘spirit’. It’s within a hairs’ breadth of denying transubstantiation and suggesting that the Eucharist is merely a symbol.
 
LilyM said:
Now we’re getting somewhere 🙂

Yea verily those lyrics sucketh. :eek:

I agree, they suggest that we are interchangeable with Christ, and further that the Eucharist is not something substantial but merely ‘spirit’. It’s within a hairs’ breadth of denying transubstantiation and suggesting that the Eucharist is merely a symbol.
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Exactly. Dare I say it reminds me somewhat of Gnosticsm where the spirit was good and the body was bad. Unfortunately, old heresies have a way of regurgitating themselves into new forms.
 
KarenM5 said:
Every time the song “Bread of Life” by Rory Cooney is sung during communion at our parish I am very bothered. I believe that there are theological errors in this song that we definitely should not be singing at communion. I have approached our music minister with my concens, but it hasn’t mattered. I would like to compose a letter to send to our priest and the music minister. I would appreciate any guidance to sources that would support my concerns.
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You know, from personal experience, I have found that one of the more clever ‘tricks’ of the devil is to enable you to focus your mind and heart off of Christ during Communion and find something to distract you for whatever reason. I would keep this mind when this re-occurs again and again. Do what I do - simply ignore it.
 
benedictgal said:
Exactly. Dare I say it reminds me somewhat of Gnosticsm where the spirit was good and the body was bad. Unfortunately, old heresies have a way of regurgitating themselves into new forms.
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Aye, that’s rather annoying isn’t it? Oftentimes it feels like shopping for breakfast cereal, you’ve at least four varieties of the same thing. Dualism, a certain brand of gnosticism, Puritanism…
You know, from personal experience, I have found that** one of the more clever ‘tricks’ of the devil is to enable you to focus your mind and heart off of Christ during Communion and find something to distract you for whatever reason.** I would keep this mind when this re-occurs again and again. Do what I do - simply ignore it.
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Agreed, but…

Well, it’s not like we expect the Inquisition to be hunting down heresies anymore…And the Church isn’t exactly speedy when it comes to chasing down abuses, now is She?
 
KarenM5 said:
Every time the song “Bread of Life” by Rory Cooney is sung during communion at our parish I am very bothered. I believe that there are theological errors in this song that we definitely should not be singing at communion. I have approached our music minister with my concens, but it hasn’t mattered. I would like to compose a letter to send to our priest and the music minister. I would appreciate any guidance to sources that would support my concerns.
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KarenM5:

I first thought the one you were talking about was this earplug worthy favorite…

OCP - Communion Hymn
printandpraise.com/songprint/file/11297/preview/256085/145891.img

Then I found it was this one that would make my cat vomit and the local dogs howl!

OCP - Bread of Life
printandpraise.com/songprint/file/11081/preview/252698/165469.img

Before I start, are you willing to have someone REALLY HATE YOU over this? Are you willing to have your Pastor turn gutless, not do anything, and then have the person who really loves this piece of DRECK hate you when he/she finds our YOU bismirched his/her choice in music?

If you are, follow my directions below - Truth is worth fighting for…

Make sure you print out a couple of copies of the DRECK and of the directions… You’ll need to make an appointment to talk to your Pastor and set some time aside so you can have a reasonable conversation. This is NOT one you’ll be able to talk to “On the Fly” or “In front of church” after Mass. I know I said he may turn gutless, but he is the first one you have to talk to.

You will need to see your pastor after Mass so you can ask for an appointment later on in the week. Even if he doesn’t set one up right then - he’ll know you want to see him about something. It might make it easier to get the appointment when you call on Mon. or Tues.

Before the Appointment:

Print out the ORIGINAL “I am the Bread of Life” song.
I am the Bread of Life, by S. Suzanne Toolan
http://www.audiblefaith.com/pages/sg853104

There’s an MP3 file available of the song. If you have an MP3 player (iPhone is an MP3 player) buy it and download the song. Play it for your pastor during the Appointment.
This song will contrast dramatically to OCP - Bread of Life garbage linked above. Your pastor will be SHOCKED to know that there’s a doctrinally correct, musically decent alternative to that DRECK!

I strongly suggest you print out John 6:25-71 (Bible Gateway - 5 Translations)
John 6:25-71 RSV
John 6 NAB
1 Cor 11:23-34 (Bible Gateway - 5 Translations)
1 Cor 11:23-34 RSV
1 Cor 11 NAB

The difference between John 6 and the ORIGINAL “I am the Bread of Life” song on the one hand and that terrible self-centered “Bread of Life” song on the other should be so STARK that won’t need so much convincing as encouragement and “Spine-Stiffening” - Remember, this DRECK is someone’s PET song, & he/she is sure to scream, “Bloody-Murder!” when that song is “taken off rotation”.

You have to convince him that the Lord’s upset at the people being misled about the Nature of the Eucharist and, at who is the Center of the Mass, are more important than however this person feels. Remember, once this person finds out you were the source of the change, he/she will be upset at you, and you won’t hear the end of it. UNLESS your Pastor has some real COURAGE.

Your Brother & Servant in Christ, Michael
 
peary2 said:
You know, from personal experience, I have found that one of the more clever ‘tricks’ of the devil is to enable you to focus your mind and heart off of Christ during Communion and find something to distract you for whatever reason. I would keep this mind when this re-occurs again and again. Do what I do - simply ignore it.
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Peary2:

Often, this is easier said than done, and I suspect this particular variant is a personal favorite of the Choir Director or some other “Prominent Person”. and, This DRECK might be representative of the quality of the music, preaching & teaching in the parish (or at least at that Mass).

That’s why I advised Karen to make an Appointment with her Pastor.

It is true the Devil has a LOT of ways of distracting us from the Mass and from Prayer. If I had any feeling that’s all this was, I’d have given the advice you did - It’s what I try to do, and why I carry a copy of the either the Sayings of the Desert Fathers or the Sayings of St. Isaac of Syria. I think this is an ongoing problem with this parish, and Karen may want to decide if she wants to fight this fight or find a different parish.

If this were occasional, I’d say to wear earplugs and pray until you see the song has obviously ended… It’s a lot less conflict!

Your Brother in Christ, Michael
 
I appreciate the many thoughts posted. Here are the full lyrics to the song I have referenced:

REFRAIN:
I myself am the bread of life.
You and I are the bread of life
Taken and blessed, broken and shared by Christ,
that the world might live

VERSE 1:
This bread is spirit,
gift of the Maker’s love,
and we who share it
know that we can be one:
A Living sign of God in Christ.

VERSE 2:
Here is God’s kingdom,
given to us as food.
This is our body, this is our blood:
A living sign of God in Christ.

VERSE 3:
Lives broken open,
stories shared aloud,
become a banquet,
A shelter for the world:
A living sign of God in Christ

by Rory Cooney
 
LilyM said:
The song is just quoting Our Lord’s words in the Gospel of John - mainly chapter 6 - how is there any theological error in it? :confused:
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This is the version we sing in our parish. I didn’t realize there were other versions, but after reading the lyrics of the other version, I agree that it is pretty “icky”.

I don’t really like the version we use in our parish, because the song seems to drag on and on and on…to my ears. I wish they would stop using it, but I’m just a peon. But I should be thankful we are not using the other version, I guess.
 
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