Sirach 50:16-21
When I was a little kid of 9 or 10 I apparently used to skip down the street singing or whistling. Come to think of it, was that clue way back then? In any event, my neighbors said they delighted in seeing me go down the street so happy and care free. I have always had an attachment for music that expresses the feelings inside. I do not have a great voice and yet I think the sound of the seminarians in chapel, our voices raised high to God sounded heavenly. Dare I say I also sound great in the shower and lastly, I sound exquisite as I make up songs of praise as I sing on my way to work at 5am. In all these situations, I am using or listening to songs which express the state of my soul. Joyous praise, solemn prayers or celebrating life. My soul is revealed in music. I believe this is true of many of us. Perhaps it is true of all humans, maybe even in the entire animal kingdom. Music connects us to the unseen power and glory of our creator. It expresses what is deep inside of us, foundational, deep and raw.
This is why music takes on such a dramatic role in every society on earth, in every religion. It can express what we feel, sooth the savage beast, raise praise as high as the rafters and the heavens. This is one reason music is integral to so many forms of worship.
This probably is no great revelation to most people. But perhaps some get caught up in the peripheral experience of music that might be part of a rock concert or the sheer elegance of attending an opera at the Met. So this is really a simple reminder to realize the role music plays in our lives and to appreciate it, enjoy it.
Music touches our soul and expresses who we are.
When I was a little kid of 9 or 10 I apparently used to skip down the street singing or whistling. Come to think of it, was that clue way back then? In any event, my neighbors said they delighted in seeing me go down the street so happy and care free. I have always had an attachment for music that expresses the feelings inside. I do not have a great voice and yet I think the sound of the seminarians in chapel, our voices raised high to God sounded heavenly. Dare I say I also sound great in the shower and lastly, I sound exquisite as I make up songs of praise as I sing on my way to work at 5am. In all these situations, I am using or listening to songs which express the state of my soul. Joyous praise, solemn prayers or celebrating life. My soul is revealed in music. I believe this is true of many of us. Perhaps it is true of all humans, maybe even in the entire animal kingdom. Music connects us to the unseen power and glory of our creator. It expresses what is deep inside of us, foundational, deep and raw.
This is why music takes on such a dramatic role in every society on earth, in every religion. It can express what we feel, sooth the savage beast, raise praise as high as the rafters and the heavens. This is one reason music is integral to so many forms of worship.
This probably is no great revelation to most people. But perhaps some get caught up in the peripheral experience of music that might be part of a rock concert or the sheer elegance of attending an opera at the Met. So this is really a simple reminder to realize the role music plays in our lives and to appreciate it, enjoy it.
Music touches our soul and expresses who we are.
Then the sons of Aaron shouted;
they blew their trumpets of hammered metal;
they sounded a mighty fanfare
as a reminder before the Most High.
Then all the people together quickly
fell to the ground on their faces
to worship their Lord,
the Almighty, God Most High.
Then the singers praised him with their voices
in sweet and full-toned melody.
And the people of the Lord Most High offered
their prayers before the Merciful One,
until the order of worship of the Lord was ended,
and they completed his ritual.
Then Simon came down and raised his hands
over the whole congregation of Israelites,
to pronounce the blessing of the Lord with his lips,
and to glory in his name;
and they bowed down in worship a second time,
to receive the blessing from the Most High.
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