Em Teu Abraço

The song 'Em Teu Abraço' by Comunidade Católica Shalom is a profound expression of faith, love, and redemption. The lyrics revolve around the imagery of an altar, a sacred space where lives, gifts, and hearts are offered in a communal celebration. This altar symbolizes a place of divine encounter, where the faithful come together to celebrate and offer their lives to God. The repetition of phrases like 'vidas, frutos, dons' (lives, fruits, gifts) and 'corações a se ofertar' (hearts to offer) emphasizes the act of giving oneself fully to the divine, highlighting the communal and sacrificial aspects of worship.

The song speaks of an 'excessive love' that overwhelms and compels the believers to give everything without reservation. This love is described as something that 'constrange' (constrains) and 'faz tudo derramar sem calcular' (makes us pour out everything without calculating). This suggests a love so profound and unconditional that it inspires total self-giving and surrender. The lyrics also reflect a deep sense of gratitude and recognition that everything received is a gift from God, and thus, it is only fitting to return it all to Him.

A central theme in the song is the transformative power of God's embrace. The line 'Pai em Teu abraço nossa vida se refaz' (Father, in Your embrace our life is remade) captures the essence of finding renewal and peace in God's love. The song portrays the altar as a place where sinners find peace and where the faithful are called to give freely what they have received. The imagery of 'pão e vinho' (bread and wine) on the altar further connects to the Christian sacrament of the Eucharist, symbolizing the ultimate act of love and sacrifice. The repeated acknowledgment that God 'engrandeces nosso nada' (magnifies our nothingness) underscores the humility and dependence on divine grace that characterizes the believer's relationship with God.