Lent is a time to re-turn to God. Celtic spirituality is characterized by the expectation of finding God within. Finding God within ourselves and within creation by listening for the heartbeat of God. Describe a time in your life where you have heard the heartbeat of God.
When do I hear the heartbeat of God? For me the answer is through music, especially choral music. As long as I can remember, choral music has been my gateway for hearing God’s heartbeat. I hear God’s heartbeat when singing a magnificent anthem in a cathedral; where voices have joined together in worship for centuries or in the simplicity of playing my guitar and singing with the children of A Child’s Garden School during chapel time. I hear God’s heartbeat in the words of choral music. Whether the lyrics are from scripture or a poem, I feel I am praying twice when I am able to sing.
During this time of pandemic, I have not experienced God’s heartbeat as frequently through the singing of choral music. A gaping space has been left in my life. I have had to look and listen for the heartbeat in other ways. I try to hear it as I’m preparing to record an anthem or hymn for our recorded services. Lately I’ve been listening to recordings from days gone by, when I was a member of the Anglican Chorale of Southern California. These pieces of music bring me comfort. I was recently going through old CDs (yes CDs), trying to find some recordings that I could share with my mom, a way for her to hear God’s heartbeat through familiar choral music. I came across one of my favorite anthems entitled “Sing Me to Heaven." This piece of music talks about the times when music is important in our lives: a lullaby, a Love Song and a Requiem. I feel music has a way of touching souls and during this season of Lent, I look for choral music that allows me to hear the heartbeat of God.
Enjoy listening to this piece of music. I pray you will hear the heartbeat of God when you hear or sing your favorite hymn or anthem.
COLLECT OF THE DAY
O God, you so loved the world that you gave your only begotten Son to reconcile earth with heaven; Grant that we, loving you above all things, may love our friends in you, and our enemies for your sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
LISTEN TO "SING ME TO HEAVEN"
Click link below to listen to the Anglican Chorale of Southern California sing "Sing Me to Heaven" by Daniel Gawthrop.
FURTHER READING
Click on the link below to read (or listen to) an interview on Lent with writer Anne Lamott.
MORE LISTENING!
Click on the link below to listen to the Choir of Canterbury Cathedral's Evenson.
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