Today`s lectionary Gospel, for Saturday of Easter Week, is Mark 16 vs. 9-15. Some of the earliest manuscripts of Mark`s Gospel do not contain this section, comprising verses 9 to 20. It is referred to in the New Revised Standard Version as “The Longer Ending of Mark”. No matter its provenance, it has some brief but stark paragraphs about the disciples` lack of faith post-resurrection. The disciples appear to disbelieve Mary Magdalene, the first witness of the resurrection, no doubt simply because she was a woman. But they also doubt the testimony of two men who also saw the risen Christ. Jesus has to appear to the eleven in person and Mark tells us that he “upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.”
I consulted Hymnary.org to see what hymns they suggested to accompany today`s readings and discovered this hymn “We walk by faith and not by sight.”
It was written by Henry Alford, D.D., son of the Rev. Henry Alford, Rector of Aston Sandford, born in London, October 7th, 1810, and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1833 he was ordained to the Curacy of Ampton. Subsequently he held the Vicarage of Wymeswold, 1835-1853, the Incumbency of Quebec Chapel, London, 1853-1857; and the Deanery of Canterbury, 1857 to his death, which took place at Canterbury, January 12th, 1871. His literary labours extended to every department of literature, but his noblest undertaking was his edition of the Greek Testament, the result of 20 years' labour.
Hymnary.org is less than flattering about Alford`s abilities when it came to writing hymns: “As a hymn-writer he added little to his literary reputation. The rhythm of his hymns is musical, but the poetry is neither striking, nor the thought original. They are evangelical in their teaching, but somewhat cold and conventional. They vary greatly in merit, the most popular being "Come, ye thankful people, come.”
Nevertheless, I share Alford`s lyrics with you on this Saturday of Easter Week as we acknowledge, even in the wake of the Feast of the Resurrection, that our faith, like that of the disciples, is often lacking.
We walk by faith and not by sight:
No gracious words we hear
Of him who spoke as none e’er spoke,
But we believe him near.
We may not touch his hands and side,
Nor follow where he trod;
Yet in his promise we rejoice,
And cry, “My Lord and God!”
Help then, O Lord, our unbelief,
And may our faith abound;
To call on you when you are near,
And seek where you are found.
That when our life of faith is done
In realms of clearer light,
We may behold you as you are
In full and endless sight.
Henry Alford (1810–1871)
May Henry Alford`s prayer be ours today, as we confess our unbelief and seek a more abounding faith.
The music in the video version is by Marty Haugen.
Alan Kennedy
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