The Sursum Corda
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
The Sursum Corda is the oldest, most universal element in Christian worship.
It dates back to at least the 3rd century and appears in virtually every Christian tradition: Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed, for over 2,000 years.
Billions of Christians over thousands of years have stood and said these words.the Latin ‘sursum corda’ literally means: ‘Hearts up!’
It isn’t just a catchy and uplifting slogan - though it is that! - it is grounding us in the ancient Christian faith.
It reorients our whole self. We live in a world constantly pulling us downward: to our worries, our phones, our tasks, our anxieties, our responsibilities.
“Hearts Up” is a call to turn ourselves upward:towards God
towards light and life and love
towards what matters.
It’s not a gentle suggestion for the church. It’s a summons.
“Lift up your hearts,” God says.
”Hearts up!”, we reply.
Here we are, God.
