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Showing posts from April, 2011

Broken Hallelujah

"After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, 'Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you." Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, 'I do not know the man!' At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.' And he went out and wept bitterly." —Matthew 26:73-75 Perhaps you've noticed it. In our times of worship over the last five weeks, a familiar word has been missing. Hallelujah is a transliteration of a Hebrew phrase meaning "Praise Yahweh." But more than just praise, it carries the connotation of being foolishly clamorous. Throughout the ages, the church has steered away from its use during the Lenten fast. But why? Surely God is worthy of our boisterous praise year round! God is certainly worthy! But those joyful praises can make it difficult to remember that we are not worthy, and Christ died for us any