32nd Sunday Hymn

32nd Sunday of the Year  –

The Gospel story of the wise and foolish virgins is expressed in the chorale Wachet auf, famously arranged for organ by J. S. Bach from his cantata No. 140. We will sing this hymn at morning Mass and hear Bach’s organ arrangement as a prelude.

1. Wake, awake, for night is flying.
   The watchmen on the heights are crying; Awake, Jerusalem, at last.
   Midnight hears the welcome voices, And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
   “Come forth, you maidens! Night is past.
   The bridegroom comes? Awake;
   Your lamps with gladness take!” Alleluia!
   Prepare yourselves to meet the Lord,
   Whose light has stirred the waiting guard.

~LBW 31

~Image: Pieter Brueghel the Elder, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons