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Friday, July 31, 2015

Catching the Holy Whisper

God whispered my name
As the sound of words
Sublimely wrapped
In golden tones of Graceful song
Filled cathedral space
Yet nestled soft as down
In my heart’s sacristy.

Is God‑love this warm?
Is Christ‑joy this knowing?
Is Spirit‑hope this near?
Does that which is far beyond
Find its way to these light‑dappled chambers
Of personal cloistered space
When angelic sounds
Soar high and low?


Blessed music!
Charioteer that swoops low
Endewing faith’s mysteries
Deep into the heart’s corners.

Grace is stirred up, imprinted deep
And the soul’s window
Set ajar to catch the
Echo of Spirited‑song
And things deeper than
Engraver’s page of dots and lines.

Lord, continue to fire the singing messengers
Who possess wisdom and skill,
Rejoicing as image‑bearers of the
Full Breathed One
As they breathe life into
Words and melodies,
Golden‑aged like finest wine
Or unseasoned yet flavorful
Like daily bread
Baked fresh from harvest's finest grain.

Heavenly Singing Flame!
Chanting troubadors of clay!
Listening gallery of saints and angels!
Music alive and faith‑infused!
Thanks be to God!

                    © 2007,  Nancy Gerst



"Be still and know that I am God" comes from Psalm 46, one of the Psalms that was written for the temple musicians in the time of the Old Testament, "a song for the songs of Korah." The sons of Korah were the rather large guild of musicians in the Jewish temple, a dynasty of musicians born into family lines, begun in the times of King David. It is both fascinating and humbling to read about these musicians who served during times of plenty, peace, incredibly rich worship services, and on through intrigues, betrayals, war, exile, and more.

Who are the musicians that have followed in the line of the sons of Korah after the time of Christ and into the beginnings of the Christian church? A 3rd century martyr, St. Cecilia, is interesting to read about because of the musical legacy that followed her martyrdom. While her martyrdom is likely a true story, the legends surrounding her and her musical interests are perhaps not totally verifiable in ancient records. That doesn't diminish the fact that whatever her passion for music in the worship of God, it was at least significant enough that legends were spun about it after her death. 

Following are some of the plethora of classical artworks featuring St. Cecilia, who has become the patron saint of church musicians, along with several paintings of angel musicians. Note that in some, both the human and angelic are worshiping as one. 

For discussion:  If artists depicted church musicians of today in works of arts, what might these look like? Why was music making in worship a common subject of artwork in former days, but not so much (hardly at all?) in our own day? I like to visualize in my heart sometimes during worship the invisible choirs of angel musicians who are adding their voices and instruments to our own God-ward praise. Someday our eyes will be opened around the throne of God where we will see the heavenly choir of saints and angels. What a glorious day that will be!








 

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