So you and I are in good company if we find TheTrinity challenging. Fortunately, even if the philosophical explanations elude us, we can know the Triune God through the experience of Faith. Thanks be to God. And after all, isn't through experience, and not intellect, that we come to know love?
The Pentecost Sequence
The Pentecost Sequence Today would be Monday in the Octave of Pentecost in the traditional liturgical calendar. Although the Octave of Pentecost has not been observed in the Ordinary Form of the Mass since 1969 (for more on this liturgical change, with feeling, see HERE and HERE on Fr. Z's blog), it would be a shame … Continue reading The Pentecost Sequence
Fickle Fame and Salieri’s “Gloria”
Fickle Fame Antonio Salieri, by Joseph Willibrord Mähler, 1815 Fickle Fame is a confounding thing. It's often the way that a well-regarded artist falls out of fashion. Despite the worthiness of his or her work, the artist is forgotten by subsequent generations. Even truly great artists can meet this fate: The 16th century poet John … Continue reading Fickle Fame and Salieri’s “Gloria”
Ever Young, Ever Old: Pedro Camacho’s Te Deum
I have always appreciated the way the Te Deum does so much so succinctly. In just a few lines we are reminded of the sweep of Salvation History, the Communion of Saints, the Doctrine of the Trinity, the Mission of Jesus Christ from Bethlehem to the New Jerusalem, and all in the form of a joyful song of praise to our God.
“Hallelujah” from Beethoven’s Christ on the Mount of Olives
We tend not to associate the word "hallelujah" with those penitential seasons. In Christ on the Mount of Olives it signifies the climactic moment when Christ says, "Not my will, but ours, be done" (Luke 22:42). This is when he commits himself to his passion and death on the cross. That, in turn, will lead directly to the triumph of Easter. Now that calls for a "Hallelujah!"
Have a Blessed Easter! (Jesus Christ is Risen Today)
Christ is Risen indeed. And what could be more fitting this day than the joyous Easter hymn, "Jesus Christ is Risen Today"? T
O Sacred Head Surrounded: A Hymn For Holy Week:
What's not as well known is that Bach is author of neither the basic melody nor the words. The composer merely incorporated into his composition (with some significant adaptation) what was already a familiar hymn called O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden ("O Head Full of Blood and Wounds"). The music, which dates from about the year 1600, was composed by Hans Leo Hassler.
The Mournful Mother: Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater”
Over the course of twenty verses the hymn draws us into the suffering of Mary, and through her suffering into the suffering of Christ himself.
The Stench of Death: 5th Sunday of Lent
The Stench of Death The Stench of Death pervades the liturgy on this 5th Sunday of Lent. And not just figuratively. Consider today's Gospel. Jesus approaches the tomb of his friend Lazarus, who had been buried four days earlier. When Jesus instructs those present to move away the stone sealing the tomb, Lazarus' sister Martha … Continue reading The Stench of Death: 5th Sunday of Lent
Music for Lent: When Jesus Wept
Jesus weeps, he cries real tears and feels real sorrow. He experiences the fullness of human sorrow, just as he will soon experience real and excruciating pain and anguish on The Cross.