Ambrosian Catechesis Vol. 2: The Light of Mystery lyrics | Augustinus Vox

Ephphatha

Ephphatha
Be opened

Open my ears
Open my mouth
Open my heart
Remember

Ephphatha
Be opened
Ephphatha

Not just the surface
The unseen
Not just the sound
Believe

Ephphatha
Be opened

Ears awake
Heart awake
Do not forget

Ephphatha
Be opened
Ephphatha
Be opened

Buried with Him

You stepped into the water
That looked like any other stream
Stone and shadow common earth
Nothing more than it had seemed
But heaven leaned into the moment
Though your eyes could only see
What is touched by grace eternal
Is not what it appears to be

Do not trust the surface only
Do not weigh it by the sight
What is seen is passing shadow
What is unseen breathes with life

You were buried with Him
In the deep where sin grows still
You were buried with Him
In the silence of His will
Dead to the world that fades and lies
Raised to God to endless light
You were buried with Him
And you rose to life that night

You confessed the name of Father
You confessed the Son made known
You confessed the living Spirit
Hold the order you were shown
Not the water did the healing
Not the river not the tide
But the grace that moved beneath it
When the cross stood at your side

Remember what your voice has spoken
Remember what your heart has sworn
Faith has shaped you in that descent
And a new self has been born

You were buried with Him
Where the old self met its end
You were buried with Him
Where the grave became a womb again
Dead to sin its weight undone
Raised to God forever free
You were buried with Him
And you rose to eternity

Seven times the river called
And nothing changed within
Until obedience met mercy
And grace did what water never did
So do not doubt what touched you there
Do not call that moment thin
What God has sealed in mystery
No power can unbegin

You were buried with Him
Not in symbol not in name
But in truth that breaks the darkness
In resurrection flame
Dead to the world its empty breath
Alive to God His victory
Believe this now with steady heart
These waters were not empty

Were not empty

The Oil of Strength

You rose from out the waters
And you came before the throne
Not in weakness not in silence
But as one the Lord has known
Then the oil upon your forehead
Spoke a promise clear and sure
You are marked for life and courage
You are chosen and secure

Like the oil on Aaron’s beard
Flowing down with holy fire
Grace was poured upon your calling
Lifting heart and soul much higher

This is the oil of strength
The sign upon your head
You are crowned with living mercy
With the life the Spirit said
This is the oil of strength
You are sealed and set apart
Made a royal priest forever
With His name upon your heart

Eyes that see must lead the body
Wisdom rises from the head
So the blessing finds its purpose
Where the Spirit’s light is spread
Not for rest but for the journey
Not for ease but faithful stand
Every soul anointed now
For the work of God’s own hand

Drawn by love that calls your name
Drawn by fragrance from the King
Every heart renewed in courage
Feels the strength this oil brings

This is the oil of strength
The sign upon your head
You are crowned with living mercy
With the life the Spirit said
This is the oil of strength
You are sealed and set apart
Made a royal priest forever
With His name upon your heart

Draw us after You we answered
Running in Your risen light
Breathing in the scent of life
That turns the darkness into sight
What was poured is not forgotten
What was given will remain
Strength to stand and strength to serve
In the glory of His name

This is the oil of strength
Not a memory not a sign
But a living gift of power
Grace that claims this life as mine
This is the oil of strength
You are armed with holy fire

Note: Song ends after the above lyrics but originally it was intended to end with following:

Sent to walk as risen people
Sent to lift the world up higher

The Bread of Angels

I held it in my hands so ordinary
A common loaf beneath the candlelight
But heaven leans in close when the words are spoken
And the earth remembers why it has a voice

Not my words no not my breath
A higher Word that wakes the dust
The same command that carved out oceans
Now turns the simple into trust

Before the Word it’s bread in my sight
After the Word it’s holy life
He spoke the stars He spoke the seas
He speaks this gift inside of me
No fear of blood no shock of night
But ransom hidden blazing bright
The Bread of Angels heaven’s sign
The living Body mine to find

He said receive and what He says becomes it
A promise stronger than my doubt can be
If all creation rose when He commanded
Then let my heart rise up and learn to see

Not my reason no not my proof
But faithful Witness sure and true
If He declares it I will answer
Amen so let it carry through

Before the Word it’s bread in my sight
After the Word it’s holy life
He spoke the stars He spoke the seas
He speaks this gift inside of me
No fear of blood no shock of night
But ransom hidden blazing bright
The Bread of Angels heaven’s sign
The living Body mine to find

I was old an empty name
A tired creation bent in shame
But when He speaks He makes me new
A new creation breaking through
The altar glows the table stands
The covenant in open hands
And in that Word the world is changed
And I am changed

Before the Word it’s bread in my sight
After the Word it’s holy life
He spoke the stars He spoke the seas
He speaks this gift inside of me
No fear of blood no shock of night
But ransom hidden blazing bright
The Bread of Angels heaven’s sign
The living Body mine to find

Amen amen
The Word has spoken so I live
Amen amen
The Bread of Angels I receive

New Creation

I came worn thin by borrowed names
A fragile heart a debt of shame
Born with riches lost the gold
Trading glory for the cold

But He did not leave me there
He met me at the font and flame
Where dying ends the reign of death
And rising calls me by a Name

I was old but now I’m new
A new creation breaking through
What was dust now learns to breathe
What was bound is finally free
Daily Bread eternal flame
He feeds my life He seals my name
I was old but now I’m new
New creation made in You

Not once a year not distant light
But living fire here tonight
If I still fall He still remains
The medicine for all my pain

Each time I come with empty hands
Each time His mercy meets my need
Not memory alone but life
Renewed in what I now receive

I was old but now I’m new
A new creation breaking through
What was dust now learns to breathe
What was bound is finally free
Daily Bread eternal flame
He feeds my life He seals my name
I was old but now I’m new
New creation made in You

If I am wounded here is cure
If I am weak this makes me sure
If I still stumble in the night
This Bread restores my strength to fight
He said today and still He says
My mercy does not age or fade
If Christ is risen every day
Then every day I rise again

I was old but now I’m new
A new creation breaking through
What was dust now learns to breathe
What was bound is finally free
Daily Bread eternal flame
He feeds my life He seals my name
I was old but now I’m new
New creation made in You

Today He feeds me today I live
Today I rise in what I receive
Today today
New creation Amen

Our Father

Out of the water out of the night
I rise with a borrowed breath
No longer bound to the dust below
No longer marked by death
I speak a name I could not claim
Before the light broke through
Not distant throne not hidden fire
But Father calling me too

Not fear not silence
Not a stranger’s door
I stand as one reborn

Our Father
High above yet nearer than my breath
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
Here in this fragile flesh
Give us the bread that does not fade
Forgive what we became
Lead us through the trial of night
Deliver us by name

Daily hunger daily need
But not for dust alone
A living bread a deeper fire
A life no grave has known
I learned this prayer beside the font
Where mercy learned my face
Where every debt was washed away
By undeserved grace

I do not ask as one outside
But as a child who knows

Our Father
High above yet nearer than my breath
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
Here in this fragile flesh
Give us the bread that does not fade
Forgive what we became
Lead us through the trial of night
Deliver us by name

Not from stone but from the table
Not from fear but from the Son
Every word a mark of promise
You have made us one
If You clothe the fields with glory
If You hear the smallest cry
How much more will You sustain us
As we walk this newborn life

Our Father
Let Your mercy shape our days
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
In love that never strays
We are not lost we are not alone
We speak because we’re known
Our Father
Hear the voice of those
You’ve claimed as Your own

Our Father

The Red Sea

Night fell hard on our escape
Iron thunder at our heels
Water towering like a gate
Panic was the only thing we’d feel

We cried out shaking out of breath
Still tasting Egypt in our lungs
Then Moses raised the staff of God
And the deep learned a new song

Cloud ahead fire behind
You were with us in the fear
Not by blade and not by might
By Your promise drawing near

Through the sea You carried me
Out of chains into the free
What was shadow now is true
What was figure now is new
Down I go old life erased
Up I rise remade by grace
Through the sea at break of dawn
I am Yours and fear is gone

Walls of water left and right
A narrow road Your hand designed
Every step became a prayer
Every heartbeat learned to trust Your light

The cloud came close and covered us
The fire burned our doubt away
Where it looked like we would die
You made a way You made a way

Not a tale that faded out
Not a wonder trapped in time
This same crossing marks us still
When we meet the water’s line

Through the sea You carried me
Out of chains into the free
What was shadow now is true
What was figure now is new
Down I go old life erased
Up I rise remade by grace
Through the sea at break of dawn
I am Yours and fear is gone

The sea didn’t take the people
It took the ones who hunted us
The wave that judged the tyrant’s pride
Became our rescue bloodless just

Water and Spirit cover me
Make my ending be my start
I die there with the old demand
I rise here with a living heart

Through the sea You carried me
Out of death into the free
Not to drown beneath the night
But to rise into the light
Down I go old life erased
Up I rise remade by grace
Through the sea at break of dawn
I am Yours and fear is gone

You still speak seas open wide
Freedom’s born on the other side

The Jordan Opens

I came with dust on my hands
With old names on my skin
Looking for a river deep enough
To drown what I’ve been
I thought the cure was farther off
Some brighter foreign stream
But mercy waits in humble water
Like waking from a dream

Not every water heals the heart
Not every wave makes clean
But grace can take a common thing
And make it more than seen

Open Jordan open wide
Let the old life pass inside
Not just element not just rain
But mercy spoken into name
Down I go and up I rise
Newborn fire behind my eyes
When the river meets the Word
The Jordan opens

Naaman walked in wounded pride
Is this the whole of it
Seven steps into ordinary
To unmake the counterfeit
And I know that voice in me
That bargains doubts delays
But healing isn’t in the distance
It’s in obedience’s blaze

Not every water carries light
Not every plunge is peace
But when the Christ steps into it
The chains begin to cease

Open Jordan open wide
Let the old life pass inside
Not just element not just rain
But mercy spoken into name
Down I go and up I rise
Newborn fire behind my eyes
When the river meets the Word
The Jordan opens

He did not need the washing
Yet He entered for my sake
First into the flowing darkness
So the waters wake
Then the Dove a sign of gentleness
Descending without fear
And the Father’s pleasure thundered
Love made crystal clear
Trinitas in one bright moment
Light within the flood
He sanctifies the river
And calls my pulse His own blood

Open Jordan open wide
Let the old life pass inside
Not just element not just rain
But mercy spoken into name
Down I go and up I rise
Newborn fire behind my eyes
When the river meets the Word
The Jordan opens
When the river meets the Word
The Jordan opens

Open open open

Signaculum

Remember the seal
Keep what you received
The Father marked me
The Son confirmed me
The Spirit lives within
A pledge that will not fade

Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel
Strength
Knowledge
Piety
Holy Fear

Remember the seal

Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel
Strength
Knowledge
Piety
Holy Fear

Guard the gift
Hold to the vow
Do not forget
What God has done

Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel
Strength
Knowledge
Piety
Holy Fear

Remember the seal
Keep what you received

The Dove Descends

Not counted with the all things that serve
Not numbered among the works of hands
He moves above the waters still
Unmeasured free and uncommanded
Not sent like tools from place to place
Yet present where the faithful are
A breath that cannot be confined
A fire that leaves the heart a star

The world can’t see Him
The world can’t name Him
But grace arrives like dawn

O Dove descending
Seal of the living God
Mark of the promise
Burn away the fog
Write Your light within me
Where no thief can tread
Make my heart Your temple
Wake what looked like dead
O Spirit holy Freedom
Stay and do not cease
Where You are there is liberty
Where You are there is peace

Not merely water on the skin
But hidden signing in the soul
A sacred imprint in the chest
A pledge that makes the shattered whole
The finger of the living God
Unbinds the serpent’s ancient claim
The darkness yields the idols fall
And fear forgets its former name

Not lesser not divided
One working with the Father’s will
One glory undiminished
One love that sanctifies us still

O Dove descending
Seal of the living God
Mark of the promise
Burn away the fog
Write Your light within me
Where no thief can tread
Make my heart Your temple
Wake what looked like dead
O Spirit holy Freedom
Stay and do not cease
Where You are there is liberty
Where You are there is peace

Not a servant among all
But over all yet near to me
Not broken into pieces
Yet poured out endlessly
Not borrowed fire not passing wind
You search the depths You know what’s true
And what You sanctify endures
A new creation made in You

O Dove descending
Seal of the living God
Sign of adoption
Calling me beloved
Keep Your mark upon me
Till the final day
Let my life confess You
Light that will not fade
O Spirit holy Freedom
Stay and do not cease
Where You are there is liberty
Where You are there is peace

Guard the Door

Night leans close to the chamber wall
A hand is near but I will not give all
Not every voice may cross this place
Not every word may wear His face

I learned to keep the threshold still
To wait for more than passing thrill
A quieter fire a deeper sound
The kind that turns the whole heart round

Guard the window
Guard the flame
Let no stranger
Rename the Name

Guard the door
Keep the chamber for the Word
Closed to the noise
But open when He’s heard
Sealed with mercy
Marked by holy fire
Guard the door
Keep the hidden heart higher

Hortus conclusus hidden and bright
A wellspring covered from the wasting night
Not locked by fear not sealed by pride
But kept for Christ to dwell inside

Wash the feet and guard the way
Do not let the old dust stay
What has been opened by His grace
Let nothing common now deface

Guard the speaking
Guard the eyes
Keep them clear
For truer light

Guard the door
Keep the chamber for the Word
Closed to the noise
But open when He’s heard
Sealed with mercy
Marked by holy fire
Guard the door
Keep the hidden heart higher

When He knocks
Rise up quickly
When He calls
Do not delay
He does not love
The careless slumber
He loves the soul
That makes Him stay

Myrrh will fall from opened hands
Grace will breathe through guarded lands
And what was once a restless room
Becomes a living place for Him

Guard the door
Keep the chamber for the Word
Closed to the noise
But open when He’s heard
Sealed with mercy
Marked by holy fire
Guard the door
Keep the hidden heart higher

Be still
Be sealed
Be ready
For the Word

Choose the Kingdom

I remember the questions in the quiet light
I remember my voice in the holy night
Not in the shadows not in the grave
Written among the living bold and brave
I said no to the old chains clinging to my name
I said no to the glitter that burns like flame

I won’t bargain with the dark
I won’t wear its borrowed crown
I’m not drifting anymore
I’m turning now

I choose the Kingdom
I choose the King
I turn to the sunrise
I let the new life begin
I renounce the lie
I release the dream that destroys
I choose the Kingdom
With my mouth with my heart with my voice

Water on my skin but more than water there
Grace in the unseen fire in the air
Not just a symbol not just a sign
A living work that rewrites my time
The old self sinking the new self raised
A clean yes spoken and heaven praised

I won’t look back to Egypt
I won’t fear the waves
The path is open through the deep
And I am saved

I choose the Kingdom
I choose the King
I turn to the sunrise
I let the new life begin
I renounce the lie
I release the dream that destroys
I choose the Kingdom
With my mouth with my heart with my voice

Seal me with wisdom
Teach me to see
Understanding
Wake up in me
Counsel and strength now
Steadying me
Knowledge and piety
Rooted in me
Holy fear guard me
Keep me in awe
Help me preserve
What I received in Your law

Set Your seal on my heart
Like a fire that can’t be drowned
No flood can silence love
No river takes it down

I choose the Kingdom
I choose the King
I turn to the sunrise
I let the new life begin
I renounce the lie
I release the dream that destroys
I choose the Kingdom
With my mouth with my heart with my voice

I’m turned to the morning
I’m done with the night
I choose the Kingdom
And I will keep the light