It has always seemed odd to me that "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" is used as a Lenten hymn. Especially since the fourth verse has the "A" word in it. And besides, the text is all about the Incarnation. For instance, it is in the Lenten section of the Christian Prayer Book, but without the fourth "offending" verse.
Of course, a hymn about the Incarnation would be wholly appropriate on the Solemnity of the Annunciation (March 25), which usually occurs during Lent.
Which makes it strange that I chose it as the Communion Hymn at our Franciscan fraternity Mass on Sunday. On the other hand, the second verse refers to the Eucharist and the third verse talks about Light:
Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way
as the Light from Light, descending
from the realms of endless day,
comes the pow’rs of hell to vanquish
as the darkness clears away.
This make the connection with the second reading of the day from Ephesians 5.
Brothers and sisters:
You were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light,
for light produces every kind of goodness
and righteousness and truth.
Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness;
rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention
the things done by them in secret;
but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
Therefore, it says:
"Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light."
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