Day 392 | Thursday, 15 April 2021

Day 392 - Audio Version

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Day 392 | Thursday, 15 April 2021
The Hymn “Are Ye Able” is a favorite of Carol Hay

Mark 10:35-40 A request from James and John
35 James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.37 They said, “Allow one of us to sit on your right and the other on your left when you enter your glory.”38 Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink the cup I drink or receive the baptism I receive?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said, “You will drink the cup I drink and receive the baptism I receive, 40 but to sit at my right or left hand isn’t mine to give. It belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.”

 (A history of Hymns by Dr. Hawn, June 2013)
 “A song which asks if we can drink the cup and be baptized with the baptism of Christ is “Are Ye Able?”  The text was written by Earl Bowman Marlatt, who was born on May 24, 1892, in Columbus, IN”

 ““Are ye able” is a thoroughly Methodist hymn. Originally in six stanzas, the hymn was written for a service to consecrate the School of Religious Education at Boston University in 1926, the title being “Challenge.” Five stanzas were published in The American Student Hymnal in 1928. Since 1935 the hymn has appeared mostly in Methodist or United Methodist hymnals.

 “United Methodist Bishop John Wesley Hardt, former Bishop in Residence at Perkins School of Theology, places this hymn in the context of its time: “Toward the end of the 19th century and early in the 20th century, the dreams of ‘the coming Kingdom of God’ inspired the YMCA and YWCA as well as the vision of ‘The Evangelization of the World in Our World in Our Generation.’ A companion spirit inspired many young people to volunteer for service in the first great World War with the motto ‘to make the world safe for democracy.’”

 “According to Methodist hymnologist and hymnal editor Robert Guy McCuthan, the poet set out to tie together two biblical scenes from the passion of Christ. In Mark 10:35-40, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, ask Christ, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left hand in glory.””

 “Jesus responds, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They respond to Jesus, “We are able.””

 “The second scene comes from Luke 23:39-43 where Christ addresses the two thieves on either side of him at the crucifixion. While one thief taunts Christ, the other requests, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Christ responds, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

 “One can imagine that the hymn inspired many young people to Christian service in the early to mid-20th century. Bishop Hardt confirms this: “Mere words cannot begin to recapture the power and abiding love which the familiar words ‘Are Ye Able’ brought to generations of Methodist young people. Perhaps young persons in generations yet to come may again find the eternal spirit of Christ speaking to them through these inspiring words.”


"Are ye able," said the Master, "to be crucified with me?" "Yea," the sturdy dreamers answered, "to the death we follow thee."
Refrain: Lord, we are able. Our spirits are thine. Remold them, make us, like thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.

Are ye able to remember, when a thief lifts up his eyes, that his pardoned soul is worthy of a place in paradise?
Refrain: Lord, we are able. Our spirits are thine. Remold them, make us, like thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.

Are ye able when the shadows close around you with the sod, to believe that spirit triumphs, to commend your soul to God?
Refrain: Lord, we are able. Our spirits are thine. Remold them, make us, like thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.

Are ye able? Still the Master whispers down eternity, and heroic spirits answer, now as then in Galilee. 
Refrain: Lord, we are able. Our spirits are thine. Remold them, make us, like thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.