The Entrance Antiphons for last Sunday and this coming Sunday are unusually long; anyone who has ever written a haiku can likely appreciate the challenge of changing a 53 syllables into 32, particularly when the original is already compact and precise.
Fortunately the rhymes came easily, and the main imagery comes through, I think, and that is important here.
For theological reasons I wish I could have preserved the expression “you have made all things.” Creation belongs to God alone–it’s a shame to miss it. All the more reason why these paraphrases should be considered a bridge to the real antiphons, for parishes that otherwise might sing a hymn instead.
Within your will, O Lord, all things are established, (12 syllables)
and there is none that can resist your will. (10)
For you have made all things, the heaven and the earth, (12)
and all that is held within the circle of heaven; (13)
you are the Lord of all. (6)
and there is none that can resist your will. (10)
For you have made all things, the heaven and the earth, (12)
and all that is held within the circle of heaven; (13)
you are the Lord of all. (6)
Your will can never be denied, (8)
For you established everything. (8)
You are the Lord of earth and sky, (8)
And all within the heav’nly ring. (8)