Jesus Christ, you are my life
We continue a series that seeks to take inspiration from the words of newer hymns and songs.
The previous thought in this series focused on the song ‘These Alone Are Enough’ by the Catholic hymnwriter, Dan Schutte. Today’s song may also be better known to our Catholic sisters and brothers as it’s original version was composed for the Catholic World Youth Day held in Rome in 2000.
It was written by Marco Frisina, based upon John 14:6, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’ and, since its inception, it has become an unofficial anthem of World Youth Day events. You can watch it here from the 2016 World Youth Day event held in Krakow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZBuzImu_G4 . The simple chorus has an earworm ability to imbed itself in your brain and, although the verses aren’t in English, they still carry an unmissable and infectious sense of joy.
I came across the song during the first COVID lockdown and included this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI0FIQURp74 in the recorded services we were producing at that time. It quickly became a ‘feelgood’ favourite for many, so much so that we created our own translation:
Chorus:
Jesus Christ, you are my life
Alleluia, alleluia
Jesus Christ, you are my life
You are my life, alleluia
You’re the way, the truth and the life;
Always the same forever;
Word that shines a light on our path,
Leading us home to your father.
Chorus
In your name, with joy, we will go,
Sharing good news with everyone –
Hope and healing; God’s grace and love;
Blessing the world as God’s children.
Chorus
On that day when we rise as one,
Your love will seal our unity.
Trav’ling done before you we’ll stand,
Endlessly singing your glory.
During that lockdown it felt like we needed all the joy we could find but maybe that need is even greater now. I hope, therefore, that this song brings you a sense of joy. And, if anything is worth imbedding in our brains, let it be those words of Jesus, “I am the way, the truth and the life’ and our response – “Jesus Christ, you are my life”.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, may the truth of your word imbed itself in my brain like an earworm and may the very depths of my being proclaim that you are my life. Amen.