Day 328 | Wednesday, 10 February 2021

Day 328 - Audio Version

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Day 328 | Wednesday, 10 February 2021
Today I am sharing “Be Not Afraid” which is Karen Peterson’s favorite hymn.  I thank Karen for sharing this with us.  The words are very powerful and bring us reassurance.  Read these words prayerfully.

Isaiah 43:2-3 CEB
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when through the rivers, they won’t sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you won’t be scorched and flame won’t burn you.  3 I am the Lord your God, the holy one of Israel, your savior.  I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.

Luke 6:20 NRSV 20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Be Not Afraid Isaiah 43:2-3, Luke 6:20 Bob Dufford
You shall cross the barren desert
But you shall not die of thirst
You shall wander far in safety
Though you do not know the way
You shall speak your words to foreign men
And they will understand
You shall see the face of God and live

 Be not afraid
I go before you always
Come, follow me and I will give you rest

 If you pass through raging waters in the sea
You shall not drown
If you walk amid the burning flames
You shall not be harmed
If you stand before the power of hell
And death is at your side
Know that I am with you through it all

Be not afraid
I go before you always
Come, follow me and I will give you rest
 
And blessed are your poor
For the kingdom shall be theirs
Blest are you that weep and mourn
For one day you shall laugh
And if wicked men insult and hate you
All because of me
Blessed, blessed are you
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 Be not afraid
I go before you always
Come, follow me and I will give you rest

Bob Dufford, SJ

Jesuit Father Bob Dufford is an internationally acclaimed composer of liturgical music. He is best known as a member of the St. Louis Jesuits and the writer of “Be Not Afraid.” As a young Jesuit novice and seminarian in the early 1970s, he began collaborating with fellow novices and seminarians John Foley, Tim Manion, Roc O'Connor and Dan Schutte to write simple, guitar-based songs for liturgy in the St. Louis University chapel. They were responding to the needs of worshipping communities, which, after the Second Vatican Council, lacked liturgical music in the vernacular to enable the full participation of the faithful.

Father Dufford is the composer of “Be Not Afraid,” one of the most beloved worship songs of our time, appearing in the hymnals of every Christian denomination. Based on Isaiah 43:2–3 and Luke 6:20, the 1975 composition has comforted troubled hearts for more than forty years. Other well-known songs include “Sing to the Mountains,” “Like a Shepherd,” “Let Heaven Rejoice,” “All the Ends of the Earth,” “Behold the Lamb of God,” “Every Valley” and “Save Us, O Lord.”

After his years with the St. Louis Jesuits, he released two solo collections based on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius: From East and West, which follows the first half of the exercises, and The Reign of God, covering the second half.

Formerly a campus minister at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, Father Dufford recently served at the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Lord God, we thank you for inspiring people like Father Bob Dufford and giving him the talent to compose meaningful music that reaches in and touches our hearts.  Continue to inspire others to use their talents to give us music and words that inspire out souls.

Lord, hear our prayers.
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Today: modern hymn writers.