Brian’s Reflection: Tuesday, May 10, 2011

It may be that when the angels go about their task

praising God, they play only Bach. I am sure, however,

that when they are together en famille they play Mozart.

Karl Barth, theologian; he was born on this date, 1886,
in Switzerland


Bach: ordered; measured; impeccable counterpoint, faultlessly played; ornate and enflowered but structured; quieting, mindful; passion “lying under”.

Mozart: passionate; unpredictable; enthusiastic; flirtatious; sly; underlying structure anchoring florescence; teasing; jolly, emotional.

Think about it. Get it? Worship, praising God, can legitimately be formal, wrapping us in Mystery. Think of the Passover Meal in the Upper Room. But when we are “en famille”, think of the Wedding Cana! We can be a little “unglued”, exuberant, reveling in God’s hilarious Presence.

We are heirs of the angels. We blend the Upper Room and Cana. Our lives are Bachian and Mozartesque, each flowing into the other. “Church” and “En Famille” may flow one into the other.

It’s all Praise and it’s all Delight in each other.

A Gift to ourselves and to the World.

Brian+