The Gift of Music

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Andrea Bocelli, beauty, conscience, friend, heart and soul, music, mystical experiences, spiritual enrichment, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

I was reminded this morning of the gift that is ours in the beauty of music. I was reading an interview with Andrea Bocelli where he speaks of what music does for the “human heart and soul,” something that I agree is necessary to us, perhaps more important than ever in our lives now. See if you agree with him.

Bocelli says: “Music is like a dear friend, one that never leaves your side. It is a universal language with the strength and ability to affect our conscience, helping us to do better. Music is also a source of spiritual enrichment, which is why knowing its language can be useful for everyone, not just those wanting to make it a profession.

When music embraces beauty, it soothes us, makes us grow, heals us by directing us toward rectitude. It can also lead us toward a fuller mystical experience.” (blog.franciscan media.org – Andrea Bocelli on Music and Miracles, August 26, 2020)

What is the music that can alter your mood, lifting you to a place of beauty, joy, peace or promise? Might you give yourself the gift of music today?

Early Music

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music, praise God, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, Thomas Keating, uplifting

There is no chance that this day will be less than spectacular! It is just approaching 7:00 A.M. and I have already been lifted high by Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings. I was ready for that as it is a piece that has a permanent home in my iPhone. It came up this morning in my email as a tribute piece to Thomas Keating whose face is that of a 95 year-old who is reaching out in bliss for his eternal reward which he achieved in late 2018.

What I had not expected was an email from my sister who got it from her friend Lyn…that is a good example of something going viral. It goes a long way to counteract the virus that has been dampening spirits around the world. Not only is the music inspiring but the faces of the performers create a perfect image of how we ought to see ourselves as diverse children together praising the Creator – however we conjecture and name God. This one brought me to tears – of joy, of course. I hope that you will take the time to watch Baba Yetu performed in Swahili by the Stellenbosch University Choir of South Africa. It is worth the watch!

P.S. 7:20AM: The sun is shining!

Divine Music

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Daniel Ladinsky, Hafiz, listen, Love Poems from God, music, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Who are we for the world? I just opened Daniel Ladinsky’s book, Love Poems from God, for a quick word for the day. Here is what I saw – just this brief message from the mystic, Hafiz. Put yourself into its picture, let yourself go and see if you are willing to act on it today.

I am a hole in a flute that the Christ’s breath moves through — listen to this music.

(And if you are brave and sing it, you might want to add a dance…)

Day One

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baptism, family, Irish blessing, liturgical celebration, music, St. Patrick, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, words

The gift of yesterday will certainly be difficult to match but because the participants and the situation will differ this afternoon I have high hopes for day two of our four-day weekend extravaganza!

My lesson from yesterday included the power of music and word in the exquisite talents of instruments and voice, story and familiar texts all woven together in a liturgical celebration impossible to describe and not likely to be repeated. We often say among us (Sisters) that “this was the best jubilee ever!” but yesterday was, in truth, my vote for that honor. I mused later that we may be getting older but we certainly can still sing! The power of community was evident from the anticipatory morning greetings to the sharing of prayer, memories and laughter in the small group that celebrated our Sister Grace before bedtime.

Today I expect the best from family. In the context of the larger “Church family” I hope to see the smiles and know the hugs of cousins from near and far – three generations of them! It will certainly be “the more, the merrier” – all to celebrate the newest addition to the O’Malley-Maloney family on this most appropriate of feasts, St. Patrick’s Day!

May the blessing of Patrick bring you joy today. May God hold you always in the hollow of his hand.

Giving Thanks

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gratitude, mindful, music, St. Cecilia, thanks, Thanksgiving, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

I awoke in the dark before 6:00am this morning and pulled up blankets that had been displaced in the night, grateful for the warmth they afforded. When I opened my eyes again at 8:02 (!) it was to blazing sun and clear blue skies and I gave thanks. I have just finished drinking a large mug of coffee while sitting in the comfortable chair that embraces me and I smile in gratitude. I have already begun a litany in my head of graces I have received, people I have loved and still love, companions on the journey all. For meaningful work and co-workers, for childhood friends and family, for religious community and Church congregations, I give thanks. 

Today is the feast of St. Cecilia, patron of musicians, and she seems the perfect soulmate for the celebration of Thanksgiving Day. I cannot imagine a life without music and give thanks for all the great musicians who have lifted my spirits – and my body in dance – with their talent and creativity.

Already there is a turkey waiting to be cooked and a table ready to be decorated, a special grace to be written with an acknowledgment of those who still do not have what we have to be shared. We are so very blessed and are aware that that giving back is the best manifestation of gratitude. We are called to spread the light of love and do so gratefully on this day.

May we all be mindful of what is most important in life as we share ourselves on this feast. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Little Less Than the Angels

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angels, gratitude, music, psalm 8, sharing, Thanksgiving, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

The psalmist is “waxing eloquent” this morning. As Psalm 8 rings in my inner sight, I recall the beautiful blue sky and sunshine of yesterday afternoon as I drove and sang with the accompaniment of longtime liturgical musicians whose music always stirs me to praise. This weekend was well begun last evening (see yesterday’s post) with a sellout crowd for our communal “walk down memory lane.” I look forward to a full day of enthusiastic sharing in words toward a hopeful future and feelings of gratitude for what we have been given throughout our history from our roots in 17th century France to worldwide service in love of God and neighbor.

Who are we, the psalmist asks God, that you should care for us? You have made us little less than the angels…and today we will revel in thanksgiving!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual Travel

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Cynthia Bourgeault, music, praise, song, Stonington Maine, taize, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, worship

Sometimes virtual travel is almost as good as being there. So it was last evening when a large rowdy band of Christians walked up a hill in Stonington, Maine and was transported from St. Mary’s Church to the chapel at Taizé, France to worship God in song. Not unlike Stonington, Taizé is a tiny town with a stable population of just under 200 people. in the summer, however, over 100,000 people, most of them young pilgrims, descend on Taizé to sing and serve in what becomes for them a spiritual homecoming.

We were lots more than half a hundred, spilling out of pews and finding our places around the sanctuary to sing those same melodies with gusto and devotion – none more devoted and joyous than our “maestro,” Cynthia Bourgeault. It was a glorious session accompanied with piano, harp and base viol.

I thought of how music is often able touch us in places where nothing else can. Last evening was one of those times when community was clearly deepened among us. I was aware also, however, of our monthly gatherings at the Sophia Center in Binghamton, NY where we also pray in the manner of Taizé. We are sometimes only three or four souls singing to recorded music or even just with our own voices. While not as spectacular, we are certainly as fervent in our praise and live by the motto that “Those who sing, pray twice.” I recommend it highly – even if it is a solo song, a simple song, to God.

 

 

 

 

 

Music to Greet the Dawn

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awake, dawn, hymn, King David, music, psalm 57, sacred song, sing, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, voice

Psalm 57 gives me pause this morning – specifically verses 8 and 9. As soon as I read: Awake, O my soul; awake lyre and harp, I am ready with the next line: I will wake the dawn! I have this image of King David standing on his balcony watching the light come and singing out God’s praise as loud and melodiously as anyone ever could, perhaps accompanying himself on the lyre.

I remember the first time I read that the psalm (which actually means sacred song or hymn) was always to be sung in liturgical rituals. I was so gratified because we Roman Catholics seemed to have lost touch with that practice (at least in my corner of the world) and what a difference it makes to our worship!

That thought got me started thinking about singing in general and how humans got started making music. Was it the example of the birds? The sound of water rushing over rocks in a stream or the waves lapping at the shore? The rain dripping on a stone that gave a rhythm to the sound? Or maybe the wind whistling through the trees sometimes? Speaking of that, who first put (or found) holes in a hollow reed and called it a flute?

I’m sure musicians know the answers to these questions and more but, for my part, I’m just glad it all happened since I can’t imagine the world without music – from the greatest compositions to the simplest children’s songs. And here’s a reminder of a response to people who say they can’t sing: “God gave you that voice. Your responsibility is to give it back!” I encourage us all to listen to some music today and praise God by singing along.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sing a New Song!

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choir, enthusiasm, feeling, music, pirit, praise God, psalm 98, raise, singing, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

I love to visit churches where the services are punctuated by vibrant singing. I learned the beauty and joy of music most likely because my mother crooned us to sleep when we were babies and sang virtually every day for some reason, at home, at church, in parish shows (some of which she produced) and into her last days on earth. She had a lovely voice and used it to praise God in every situation. Irish to the core, my father loved to sing as well and my earliest memories of adult gatherings at our house included “sing-alongs” that were as important as food and friends.

Music reminds us that we are more than intellectual beings by causing our spirits to soar with joy or to experience deep feeling with the words we sing or the music itself. Consider the beauty of harp music, the call of a violin, the majesty and joy of trumpets and the reach into the heart of piano music…

I wonder why we don’t spend more time singing since it is known to be good for us as a psycho-physical exercise. Perhaps we might consider music as a good companion for this new year. Psalm 98 has been called “A New Song to the Holy One” and I can hear the St. Louis Jesuits leading us for years at Church calling us to “sing a new song unto the Lord! Let your song be sung from mountains high…” How can that be done without some energy and building enthusiasm? (Swaying is essential as well.) Do we think about what we’re singing? In your church or anywhere you praise God, might you use any of the following to describe the music? Does is have enthusiasm, vigor, buoyancy, exuberance, spirit, animation, zeal, ardor, gusto, or any notable feeling? Perhaps that sounds silly to you but what activity where we might add music is more appropriately passionate than our praise of God? As a last word I offer part of my favorite translation of Psalm 98, the psalm for today and an image that also gives us the reason for the song.

Raise high each voice till all can hear the joyous news you bear. Praise God till earth itself becomes a song, till seas and all the waters flow and waves begin to dance with land and all the peoples sing. Let every river lift its hands to clap in time, while hills and valleys join in song to offer hospitality to the Holy One, who comes to right our every wrong… (vs. 7-9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which Instrument Are You?

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divine, instrument of praise, joy, justice, light, music, praise, pray, psalm 67, song, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, worship

Psalm 67 may be considered, says one commentary, “an international hymn of praise because it calls all nations and peoples of the earth to enter into the worship of God…” In speaking of the Psalms as they appear in the Hebrew Scriptures, this commentary continues: “In many of the Psalms there is a ‘we’ versus ‘they’ mentality. This sentiment has been overcome in this Psalm, and thus speaks, perhaps, of an unusual development in the religious ideals of the Hebrew people. They have moved from a narrow conception of the divine to one that is shared by all peoples of the earth…Our task as contemporary creatures is not simply to pray for ourselves, or narrowly for those around us who are dear to us, but to give voice for the whole earth…Imagine yourself as creation’s voice, as an instrument through which those without a voice can enter with praise the presence of God…There is often a wide gap between the vision of beauty held out for the world and the experience of pain and ugliness we find in it. Those who pray hold these two regions together, and will not let them fall apart.”

I was heartened by these words and so would like to suggest that each of us choose our favorite music-making instrument, visualize ourselves at our place in the great orchestra of the nations and play – pray – (singing?) this version of Psalm 67 (aloud!) for the reconciliation of the whole world. Ready? Begin:

O God, have mercy upon us and bless us with the light streaming from your face. And so that here on earth we know and walk in your ways, restore us back to health again. May every person, every creature become an instrument of praise to you and may you be the song that makes us glad and every nation sings with joy, for your pure justice reigns and rules, guiding all with equal hand. May every creature, every person, then, be an instrument of praise, and earth itself abound with a fullness yet unknown, as you alone become “our God” for everyone. Your blessings fill us full, and cover us and earth with awe from edge to edge. (translation and commentary by Lynn Bauman)