The Lutheran Seminary of Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States "God Pause Daily Devotion" for Saturday, 16 May 2015 "Here I Am, Lord" by Father Daniel L. Schutte ELW 574

The Lutheran Seminary of Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States "God Pause Daily Devotion" for Saturday, 16 May 2015 "Here I Am, Lord" by  Father Daniel L. Schutte ELW 574

1. I, the Lord of sea and sky,

I have heard My people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin,

My hand will save.

I who made the stars of night,

I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear My light to them?

Whom shall I send?

Chorus: Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?

I have heard You calling in the night.

I will go Lord, if You lead me.

I will hold Your people in my heart.

2. I, the Lord of snow and rain,

I have born my peoples pain.

I have wept for love of them, They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone,

Give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak My word to them,

Whom shall I send?

Chorus: Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?

I have heard You calling in the night.

I will go Lord, if You lead me.

I will hold Your people in my heart.

3. I, the Lord of wind and flame,

I will tend the poor and lame.

I will set a feast for them,

My hand will save

Finest bread I will provide,

Till their hearts be satisfied.

I will give My life to them,

Whom shall I send?

Chorus: Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?

I have heard You calling in the night.

I will go Lord, if You lead me.

I will hold Your people in my heart.

The hymn, "Here I Am, Lord" comes to us from the Roman Catholic community. The words and the music are the work of Father Daniel L. Schutte, a composer in residence at the University of San Francisco. Father Daniel was one of the founding members of the St. Louis Jesuits, who popularized a contemporary style of church music set to sacred texts.
The hymn is based on three Old Testament texts: Ezekiel 36:26, Isaiah 6:8 and 1 Samuel 3, each dealing with the theme of God's call to servanthood. The hymn asks "whom shall I send?" and then repeats the very personal response: "Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart." The hymn begs the question we all must ask: how has God's call affected our life and how are we personally responding to that call today?
Help us, O God, to hear your daily call and respond to it openly and actively. Amen.
Kenneth N. Melby

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