You Are The Seed
You are the seed that will grow a new sprout,
you’re a star that will shine in the night;
you are the yeast and a small grain of salt,
a beacon to glow in the dark.
You are the dawn that will bring a new day;
you’re the wheat that will bear golden grain;
you are a sting and a soft, gentle touch,
my witnesses where’er you go.
Refrain
Go, my friends, go to the world, proclaiming love to all,
messengers of my forgiving peace, eternal love.
Be, my friends, a loyal witness, from the dead I arose;
“Lo, I’ll be with you forever, till the end of the world.”
You are the flame that will lighten the dark,
sending sparkles of hope, faith, and love;
you are the shepherds to lead the whole world
through valleys and pastures of peace.
You are the friends that I chose for myself,
the word that I want to proclaim,
You are the new kingdom built on a rock
where justice and truth always reign.
You are the life that will nurture the plant;
you’re the waves in a turbulent sea;
yesterday’s yeast is beginning to rise,
a new loaf of bread it will yield.
There is no place for a city to hide,
nor a mountain can cover its might;
may your good deeds show a world in despair
a path that will lead all to God. Cesareo Gabaraín, trans. Raquel Gutiérrez-Achon
and Skinner Chávez-Melo
Note all the metaphors (seed, yeast, salt, beacon, sting, waves, shepherds, flame, etc.) that are used to describe what it means to be people participating in God’s mission as messengers of God’s “forgiving peace, and eternal love.” In the hymn we are called friends who are to witness for Christ, forgive, and work for justice and peace.
The most important of the metaphors to me is “you’re the waves in the turbulent sea.” I think it describes well that as followers of Jesus we must sometime stir things up in a troubled and turbulent world. Waves can be dangerous and we too, must take the risks, be subversive and at the same time redeeming in our witness.
Which metaphors are the most disturbing to you and why?
What new understandings of “kingdom building” does this hymn present?
What responsibilities does the hymn give to believers.
Cesareo Gabaraín (1936-91) was a parish priest and a musician. He worked with youth and especially with cyclists. He was a leader/composer of congregational music and lived and worked in Spain.
Joyce D. Sohl, Laywoman-in-Residence
Joyce D. Sohl has been Laywoman-in-Residence since 2009 as a full-time volunteer. She retired as CEO of United Methodist Women in 2004. She is the author of 4 books, a teacher, retreat leader, writer and non-professional musician. Here at the Center her work is in the area of Spirituality & the Arts with such programs as Tuesdays in the Chapel, Vespers & All That Jazz, Poet’s Corner, quarterly retreats, and art exhibits.