Has anyone else heard of this song?

[deaconswife]

In honor of the Year of the Eucharist our music director is using more songs in liturgy cenetered on the Eucharist. One of the new songs he introduced is called “Now at this Banquet” by Marty Haugen. Knowing that Haugen is not Catholic, I was curious as to how well his theology of Eucharist would be in the song. It is the refrain that really bothers me - Now at this banquet, Christ is our bread, all of our hungers are fed. Bread that is broken, cup that is poured, Love is the sign of the Lord. It sounds to me that Haugen is saying that the Eucharist is primarily sign or symbolic. With so many Catholics confused about the Real Presence, I am concerned about singing something that will only confirm their confusion. Tell me I’m not crazy about this.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

I don’t think I’d be too concerned about the words. The Church herself uses the term “bread” and “cup” even after the consecration, so this isn’t terribly disconcerting – if that is what you were objecting to.

Deacon Ed

 

[pnewton]

The Eucharist also has definite symbloic elements. At least this song states’ “Christ is our bread.” You may be right about the prudence of using such a song. I know in my own parish, no one can remain in any doubt about the Church teaches the real presence, so it wouldn’t be an issue for us.

A priest who gives out solid catechism during homilies sure solves a lot of problems.

 

[asquared]

we are not allowed to use any of the Haugen hymns in our hymnal or missalette because of problematic theology on the Eucharist. We are also not allowed to use any hymns, especially psalm settings, that have the Deity speaking in the first person, putting His words into the mouths of the singers.
I am on my way to Church, because our 20 hours of exposition and adoration are closing before the 7 pm holy day Mass, and reposition will be preceded by a solemn candlelight procession led by the youth choir singing Crucenm Tuam. We have also been practicing the latin traditional hymns O Salutaris Hostia and Tantum Ergo for our weekly holy hours during the Eucharistic year.

 

[pnewton]

asquared:

we are not allowed to use any of the Haugen hymns in our hymnal or missalette because of problematic theology on the Eucharist. .

When you say “we” is that parish specific of diocese? (just curious)

 

[Dr.Colossus]

I’ve heard the song. From what I remember of it, there’s nothing specifically against Church teaching, but it doesn’t emphasize the reality of Christ’s presence either.

 

[Minerva]

I’ve heard the song too and my main objection to it and all of Marty Haugen’s stuff is that it is just plain bad music.

 

[mercygate]

asquared:

We are also not allowed to use any hymns, especially psalm settings, that have the Deity speaking in the first person, putting His words into the mouths of the singers.

Where did this idea come from? You mean you can’t sing: “I alone am the Lord?” or “I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance,” because people will think it means “I, myself, the singer” am the Lord? Seems a little over-sensitive.

 

[asquared]

mercygate:

Where did this idea come from? You mean you can’t sing: “I alone am the Lord?” or “I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance,” because people will think it means “I, myself, the singer” am the Lord? Seems a little over-sensitive.

I don’t make the rules I just follow them. but this has been discussed before on the forums by people more qualified than I to state why this is objectionable. Lyrics like “I am the bread of life” and “Be not afraid, I go before you always, come follow me . . .”

 

[Faustina]

deaconswife:

In honor of the Year of the Eucharist our music director is using more songs in liturgy cenetered on the Eucharist. One of the new songs he introduced is called “Now at this Banquet” by Marty Haugen. Knowing that Haugen is not Catholic, I was curious as to how well his theology of Eucharist would be in the song. It is the refrain that really bothers me - Now at this banquet, Christ is our bread, all of our hungers are fed. Bread that is broken, cup that is poured, Love is the sign of the Lord. It sounds to me that Haugen is saying that the Eucharist is primarily sign or symbolic. With so many Catholics confused about the Real Presence, I am concerned about singing something that will only confirm their confusion. Tell me I’m not crazy about this.

When I read the words, I thought it was a very poetic way of explaining the Real Presence.
“Christ is our Bread, all of our hungers fed” - That one is self explanatory
“Bread that is broken” - Christ is the bread, and he is broken as a result of his love for us.
“Cup that is poured” - Christ’s blood was spilled.

 

[deaconswife]

Maybe I should be a little more specific as no one has commented on the line that concerns me - it is love is the sign of the Lord. I just wonder about singing about the Eucharist being sign as we come to receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord.

 

[ThyKingdomCome]

deaconswife:

Maybe I should be a little more specific as no one has commented on the line that concerns me - it is love is the sign of the Lord. I just wonder about singing about the Eucharist being sign as we come to receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord.

Interesting. The way I read that line is more that when we see love / an act of love, this is a sign that the action is of God. I recognize God when I see love. In the context of this refrain, I see it saying that Christ’s loving act of his being broken for us on the cross and his giving us the Eucharist shows us that he is God. Not that this is THE proof of his divinity. But it doesn’t appear to me that the word “sign” is being used to describe the real presence.