John the Baptizer is a major figure in today’s Gospel. Our antiphon is taken from the Canticle of Zechariah, John’s father, specifically Luke 1:78-79:
the tender mercy of our God
by which the daybreak from on high will visit us
to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.
with a little taste of Luke 1:74
freed from the hand of our enemies
Walking in the Communion procession, we pray that we will receive the tender mercy of God, and that he will guide our feet into the way of peace.
Psalm verses are from Ps 92, set to a tone that moves in step like a parabolic arc. The antiphon can work as a simple 4-part round.