On the Cusp of Holy Week
Recently, I rearranged my stereo equipment. A happy thing happened. It is now clearer than ever before. And what has this revealed? Instruments and voices now sound more real and naturally modulated. The result for me as I started listening to some discs I thought were familiar was a realization that the most moving music for me was often simple. A few things done well provide more texture, depth and emotion than a wall of sound.
It reminded me again how important it is to hear with clarity. This is so true in our conversations. When we really listen with full and relaxed attention, the quality of the dialogue deepens.
Today is Palm Sunday. The Liturgy began with noise and exuberance as Christ was welcomed into Jerusalem, but not long after we experienced the aftermath of the Passion -- the silence of Christ laid in the tomb.
It is interesting that Palm Sunday and Good Friday are two of our best attended services all year. The stillness speaks to us.
As I wrote last year, there are some great music pieces written for this time of year that can help our meditation. In Toronto, we have the great tradition of singing Monsignor Edward Ronan's Tenebrae service. There are recordings by the Victoria Scholars and by St. Michael's Choir School. Handel's Messiah while being comparatively lush, nonetheless, is very rich in its choice of Scripture texts and the way the music is matched to the text is wonderful.
I've also included a couple of "Stabat Mater" settings. This is an ancient hymn often sung to accompany the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. The Pergolesi is quite contemplative. There is a famous one by Scarlatti and it is filled with vocal colour. "At the Cross her vigil keeping . . . Mary stood in sorrow, weeping." We recognize in Mary one who journeys with her Son even at the Cross. I might say, the most famous sculpture in the world is Michelangelo's Pieta, Mary holding the body of her Son at the foot of the Cross.
I had the privilege last November of celebrating Mass in the Garden of Gethsemane. "Could you not wait one hour with me." If you can especially on Holy Thursday night see if you can spend time with the Blessed Sacrament at your local parish following the Mass of the Lord's Supper.
In the Reformation tradition we have the great choral works of the various Passion narratives from the Gospel. Best known is the St. Matthew Passion by J. S. Bach. It has been recorded many times and is even available in English language versions. The Passion chorale which quotes another earlier hymn by Hans Leo Hassler is most recognizable.
The minor key of this week reminds us of the significance of life itself. The motto of the parish I was pastor of in Scarborough was: "You have redeemed us O Lord, in your own blood." It is true, but the work of salvation is still being completed on earth, and while we are called to share in it, we must pause long enough to see how we also contribute something to the earth's sorrows. It is not only good intention that will help us to share in Christ's saving work, but our faithfulness in keeping our lives simple enough to listen to Him at a profound level so that we can be changed to love with greater freedom.
Have a good Holy Week!
It reminded me again how important it is to hear with clarity. This is so true in our conversations. When we really listen with full and relaxed attention, the quality of the dialogue deepens.
Today is Palm Sunday. The Liturgy began with noise and exuberance as Christ was welcomed into Jerusalem, but not long after we experienced the aftermath of the Passion -- the silence of Christ laid in the tomb.
It is interesting that Palm Sunday and Good Friday are two of our best attended services all year. The stillness speaks to us.
As I wrote last year, there are some great music pieces written for this time of year that can help our meditation. In Toronto, we have the great tradition of singing Monsignor Edward Ronan's Tenebrae service. There are recordings by the Victoria Scholars and by St. Michael's Choir School. Handel's Messiah while being comparatively lush, nonetheless, is very rich in its choice of Scripture texts and the way the music is matched to the text is wonderful.I've also included a couple of "Stabat Mater" settings. This is an ancient hymn often sung to accompany the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. The Pergolesi is quite contemplative. There is a famous one by Scarlatti and it is filled with vocal colour. "At the Cross her vigil keeping . . . Mary stood in sorrow, weeping." We recognize in Mary one who journeys with her Son even at the Cross. I might say, the most famous sculpture in the world is Michelangelo's Pieta, Mary holding the body of her Son at the foot of the Cross.
I had the privilege last November of celebrating Mass in the Garden of Gethsemane. "Could you not wait one hour with me." If you can especially on Holy Thursday night see if you can spend time with the Blessed Sacrament at your local parish following the Mass of the Lord's Supper.In the Reformation tradition we have the great choral works of the various Passion narratives from the Gospel. Best known is the St. Matthew Passion by J. S. Bach. It has been recorded many times and is even available in English language versions. The Passion chorale which quotes another earlier hymn by Hans Leo Hassler is most recognizable.
The minor key of this week reminds us of the significance of life itself. The motto of the parish I was pastor of in Scarborough was: "You have redeemed us O Lord, in your own blood." It is true, but the work of salvation is still being completed on earth, and while we are called to share in it, we must pause long enough to see how we also contribute something to the earth's sorrows. It is not only good intention that will help us to share in Christ's saving work, but our faithfulness in keeping our lives simple enough to listen to Him at a profound level so that we can be changed to love with greater freedom.
Have a good Holy Week!
