We Are Called
Come! Live in the light!
"We Are Called" is theologically grounded in the prophetic tradition of the Hebrew scriptures, with Micah 6:8 serving as its explicit doctrinal spine. The text's movement through the stanzas traces an arc from personal vocation (living in the light, opening the heart) to communal eschatological hope (the day when all will be one, sisters and brothers united in love), culminating in the refrain's distillation of justice, tenderness, and humility. In Lutheran terms, this is primarily a Third Use of the Law text—it describes the shape of the new life that flows from justification, articulating what the redeemed community is called to do and be in the world. For Lutheran worship planning, the text functions well as a response to the Gospel rather than as a means of earning grace. The imperatives—"act with justice," "love tenderly," "serve one another," "walk humbly with God"—carry the character of vocation and discipleship rather than of meritorious works, provided the surrounding liturgical context makes clear that these callings flow from grace already received. The images of light, freedom, and the "city of God" evoke both the already and the not-yet of Lutheran eschatology, connecting daily discipleship to the ultimate hope of God's reign. The song's emphasis on justice, mercy, and communal solidarity resonates strongly with Lutheran social ethics rooted in the theology of the cross and neighbor-love. It pairs naturally with texts on baptismal vocation, the sending rites of the liturgy, and preaching that connects justification to justice. Care should be taken that the song not be heard in isolation as a works-righteousness program; when preceded by strong Gospel proclamation or a clear absolution, its exhortatory character reads as joyful response rather than anxious striving.
History & Background
"We Are Called" was written by David Haas in 1988 and published by GIA Publications. The text draws directly from Micah 6:8—"act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God"—and was composed as a congregational song rooted in the social justice dimensions of Christian discipleship. It emerged during a period of renewed emphasis in American Catholic music on prophetic and communal themes, influenced by the Second Vatican Council's call to engage the world and by liberation theology's resonance in North American parish life. The refrain, which constitutes the fourth stanza, functions as a memorable doctrinal summary of Micah's threefold call. The song became widely adopted in post-conciliar Catholic parishes across the United States and quickly spread into ecumenical and Protestant congregations, appearing in multiple mainline hymnals and worship resources. Its straightforward, singable melody (also named WE ARE CALLED, composed by Haas himself) and its vivid, action-oriented imagery made it accessible for all ages and suitable for a wide range of contexts including Ordinary Time, justice-themed liturgies, confirmation, graduation, and social ministry gatherings. The text has been included in multiple editions of GIA's Gather hymnal and in various Catholic worship resources, and it appears in several mainline Protestant hymnals as well, testifying to its broad ecumenical reception. Its explicit grounding in a Hebrew prophetic text gives it a scriptural directness that transcends any single denomination, making it a durable resource for ecumenical worship planning.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 720
- Gather 3rd Edition — 718
- Gather 4th Edition — 754
- Glory to God — 749
- Worship IV — 671
Bulletin Note
Text and music by David Haas (b. 1957), © 1988 GIA Publications. Based on Micah 6:8.
Preaching Connection
When the sermon explores the connection between Sunday worship and Monday discipleship—between receiving grace and enacting justice—"We Are Called" gives the congregation a sung articulation of Micah's ancient summons made new in Christ. It can anchor a preaching series on vocation, baptismal living, or the prophetic dimensions of the Christian life.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Definition & Command of Baptism Small Catechism — Holy Baptism
- Confession of Sin Small Catechism — Confession
Themes
justice discipleship baptismal vocation social witness community eschatological hope humility service prophetic tradition kingdom of God light mercy