Just before attending a beautifully done Good Friday community worship service, something occurred that revealed a part of my thoughts and attitude that I did not like to see. I was sad during most of the service. This was partly due to the readings, the sombre atmosphere and the things we remember on the day Jesus died, but it was also partly due to the awareness I had that if it were not for the mercy and grace of our Lord, I could not hope to stand in God's presence. I felt like Isaiah when, standing before God's throne, he cried, "Woe is me. I am undone." There were moments of silence interspersed in the service, and during those times I found myself thinking "Lord, have mercy on me according to your lovingkindness."
The good news is, the gospel is for those who understand that they are not righteous.
From Luke 23
Now...there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
Nehemiah 9:31
Nevertheless in Your great mercy ,You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them; For You are God, gracious and merciful.
Deuteronomy 7:9
Therefore know that the LORD... He is...the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.
The video today features the unusual music of Isaac Everet. I don't quite like the fish motif, but I find the mournful sound of the Australian digeridu quite fitting as it opens a song that says, "Lord, have mercy! Christ, have mercy!" Thankfully, he does!
Let's wait together in hope for the joy that comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:10
Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me. LORD, be my helper!”
6 comments:
The effect of the instrumentation in the kyrie is haunting--in a good way. I think it expresses our sense of crying out to God for mercy we don't deserve. If your email isn't in your blog profile info, would you share it with me? I want to send you part of the service we did last night at my teaching parish which I found especially moving.
God's peace.
That fish aspect has me pondering. Is Jesus walking on the water, heading toward those who are fishing? Is he walking through the water, like the parting of the Red Sea and baptism? Is he on the beach about to share some of those fish with his friends? Could that first one be a whale, reminding us of Jonah's tomb and Jesus's?
Or are they just there?
I had similar thoughts. Didn't seem to fit the Kyrie idea...weird. :-)
As I read your post, even with the music, the only song running through my head was 'Undun' by the Guess Who.
?? Really? Hmmmm
Now I'm singing it. it was too laaaate....
People often fish around for words to describe my music, but "unusual" is a pretty good one - thanks for posting this! I haven't seen this video before and it's interesting.
in any case, I just started a podcast on psalms, if you want to hear more "unusual" liturgical music...
Post a Comment