The power of music

I see that the current issue of our journal Mount Carmel (produced by the Friars at Boars Hill) is on the interesting theme ‘Carmel and Music’.  I have been researching Handel’s Carmelite Vespers recently; he wrote the music in 1707 when he was living in Rome.  Interesting that this Protestant composer should have composed music for the Catholic Church, but I suppose that if you look at the history of the arts, there are many similar examples of cross-denominational inspiration.  Indeed, artistic inspiration is a very mysterious subject.  With my complete lack of artistic or musical ability, I look at what artists and composers do and marvel – it feels like they are a different and superior species.  As Catholics we are entitled to be proud of our musical traditions: from the beginning the Church has sung her faith.  Music gives expression to the profound emotions associated with different aspects of our faith, and music also brings our doctrine alive.  We recently sang in church ‘Immortal, Invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes’ (by a Free Church of Scotland minister).  What deep theology that whole hymn contains, and the music imprints the doctrine on the mind!    

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Sue B, Theresa K, Fr Jon B

Siena, Elara – sick children

Matthew – six-year old boy dying of bladder cancer

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David OCDS – housebound; Martin Gilham – unable to attend community meetings

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith OCDS – seriously ill

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness