Today’s music is the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir’s recording of Edgar Bainton’s “And I Saw a New Heaven”:

Edgar Bainton’s sacred anthem, recorded by the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir, sets to music a passage from the Book of Revelation, in which the seer John describes this vision of heaven as the New Jerusalem.

As you listen to the music, we offer a few questions for you to meditate upon:

– The Seer John, to whom the Book of Revelation is attributed, writes down his vision of the new Jerusalem. It is an image of hope, of new beginnings, “like a bride adorned for her husband. How is God offering you hope today?

– The organ imitates a trumpet blare as the “great voice out of heaven” proclaims to John the Seer: “The tabernacle of God is with men!” God himself shall be with them. As you listen to the words of the hymn, call to mind that you are—right now—in the presence of God. As you go throughout your day today try to call to mind God’s enduring presence, with us in every moment of the day–conversation with our children, workplace interaction, discussion with our spouse. God is with us.

– The prophecy concludes with a beautiful consolation, “God shall wipe all tears from their eyes.” What tears (sorrows, fears, disappointments, or discouragements) are you bringing to God today? In moments of desolation do you believe that God’s promise to comfort you in your sorrow?

Revelation 21:1-4

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying:

“See, the tabernacle of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his people,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”