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Views from the Choir Loft

Favorite Scripture Passage?

Fr. David Friel · December 27, 2011

I’ve often been asked what my favorite Scripture passage is. It’s an impossible question. Quite frankly, I don’t have an answer. I perhaps have a favorite passage from each book of the Bible, but certainly not one from the entire Sacred Scriptures. Who could pick just one?

A strange thought occurred to me early this morning, however. The unlikely suggestion of Luke, chapter 1 came spontaneously and uninvited to my mind. Think of all the extraordinary words crammed into that one, single chapter!

A marvelous introduction; the story of Zechariah & Elizabeth; the Annunciation; the Visitation; the Magnificat; the nativity of John the Baptizer; and the Benedictus.

What a table of contents! These are exceptional texts—stories & prayers & characters that have given shape to our very salvation. The Benedictus and Magnificat, in particular, are prayers that, as a priest, I pray every single day. (The Benedictus is the canticle traditionally prayed in the Divine Office at Lauds, and Mary’s Magnificat is sung at Vespers.)

There is no question that I love Luke 1. It boasts no shortage of money lines, as well as a most beautiful cohesion. It may be eighty separate verses, but it’s a chapter that should be in the running with the other fifty-or-so passages that vie for the appellation “favorite” in my book.

Especially in this Christmas season, how good it would be for us to return to this chapter—the first chapter in the only Gospel that relates the birth of our Blessed Lord. With all of its eighty verses, it could give us sufficient material for our private lectio divina to last us until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. And, for that, there’s Luke, chapter 3!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.—(Read full biography).

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PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
7 June 2022 • FEEDBACK

From Chelan, Washington: “CCWatershed is a God-sent resource that I can’t function without! Such great work by the team to bring beauty back to our liturgy!” From Gainesville, Florida: “I am so appreciative of the work, of my brothers and sisters in music!” From Troutman, North Carolina: “Keep up the excellent work in service of the Liturgy!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“In my capacity as the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, I continue to remind all that the celebration toward the East (versus orientem) is authorized by the rubrics of the missal, which specify the moments when the celebrant must turn toward the people. A particular authorization is, therefore, not needed to celebrate Mass facing the Lord.”

— ‘Robert Cardinal Sarah, 23 May 2016’

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