Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord. Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98: 4-9)
Any clear, cool, and realistic examination of our life can justify an abundance of fear. A happy child is singing one moment and horribly killed in the next. The private treasures of many lifetimes are lost in a sudden storm. A friend, neighbor, or spouse is murdered or pronounced a murderer. Threats - both intentional and accidental - abound.
Many of us manage these threats by refusing to look or listen. This may be a better strategy than obsession with the threats. But failing to look or listen for threats can also discourage looking and listening for opportunities.
We are called to watch carefully, listen assiduously, see clearly, and hear accurately. In this way we will perceive threats and may be able to act upon them. But more importantly this acute attentiveness will expose opportunities, encourage creativity, and enable us to recognize the beauty and goodness that is also all about us.
Courage does not deny the threat. Courage is a choice to live abundantly in the shadow of fear. Music - and especially making music - can be an amazing tool for confronting our fear and claiming our joy. Singing or playing an instrument, especially in ensemble, pulls us beyond a preoccupation with self and toward a beauty beyond ourselves.
Listen to a courageous piece of music, the Concerto for Organ in G Major by C.P.E. Bach. Less heroic but no less courageous is the aria Et Incarnatus Est (And it is the Incarnation) from Mozart's Mass in C Minor. Both are courtesy of www.carolinaclassical.com.
Any clear, cool, and realistic examination of our life can justify an abundance of fear. A happy child is singing one moment and horribly killed in the next. The private treasures of many lifetimes are lost in a sudden storm. A friend, neighbor, or spouse is murdered or pronounced a murderer. Threats - both intentional and accidental - abound.
Many of us manage these threats by refusing to look or listen. This may be a better strategy than obsession with the threats. But failing to look or listen for threats can also discourage looking and listening for opportunities.
We are called to watch carefully, listen assiduously, see clearly, and hear accurately. In this way we will perceive threats and may be able to act upon them. But more importantly this acute attentiveness will expose opportunities, encourage creativity, and enable us to recognize the beauty and goodness that is also all about us.
Courage does not deny the threat. Courage is a choice to live abundantly in the shadow of fear. Music - and especially making music - can be an amazing tool for confronting our fear and claiming our joy. Singing or playing an instrument, especially in ensemble, pulls us beyond a preoccupation with self and toward a beauty beyond ourselves.
Listen to a courageous piece of music, the Concerto for Organ in G Major by C.P.E. Bach. Less heroic but no less courageous is the aria Et Incarnatus Est (And it is the Incarnation) from Mozart's Mass in C Minor. Both are courtesy of www.carolinaclassical.com.
posted by Didymus | 5:30 AM
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