THE GLORY OF THESE FORTY DAYS

“He was there in the wilderness forty days.” Mark 1:13

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St. Gregory (540-604) Words: Attributed to Gregory I, 6th Century (Clarum decus jejunii); translated from Latin to English by Maurice F. Bell, 1906.

Music: “Spires,” from Geistliche Lieder, by J. Klug, 1853; harmonized by Johann Sebastian Bach


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Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

The glory of these forty days
We celebrate with songs of praise;
For Christ, by Whom all things were made,
Himself has fasted and has prayed.

Alone and fasting Moses saw
The loving God Who gave the law;
And to Elijah, fasting, came
The steeds and chariots of flame.

So Daniel trained his mystic sight,
Delivered from the lions’ might;
And John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became
The herald of Messiah’s Name.

Then grant us, Lord, like them to be
Full oft in fast and prayer with Thee;
Our spirits strengthen with Thy grace,
And give us joy to see Thy face.

O Father, Son, and Spirit blest,
To thee be every prayer addressed,
Who art in threefold Name adored,
From age to age, the only Lord.