Sunday Music: Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Cantata V
It is the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany. Today’s Bach piece is Cantata V from Bach’s Christmas Oratario:
Today’s Gospel reading is Matthew 5:13-20:
Salt and Light
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Fulfillment of the Law
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
The text of today’s piece is available here. It contains these words:
My Savior, You, You are the light,
that shall shine also for the heathens,
and they, they do not yet know You,
yet they already wish to honor You.
How bright, how clear must your radiance be,
beloved Jesus!
Happy listening! Soli Deo gloria.
Video unavailable is the message I receive upon clicking the link.
felipe (023cc9) — 2/9/2020 @ 9:24 amI guess I have to go to youtube. Man, I’m lazy!
felipe (023cc9) — 2/9/2020 @ 9:24 amI appreciate your work in following the “Church year” as traditionally presented in the Common Lectionary.
I once belonged to a denomination that once followed — still follows, according to the published guidance from higher authority which is not only ignored in this instance but denigrated in most matters — the lectionary and tradition generally. In this century it seems the denomination has left me. Not only does the service between two local churches of the denomination differ one from the other, but each will focus on, at best, one verse of Scripture. Again, long published higher authority dictates a service will include an Old Testament reading, an Epistle, a Psalm, and a Gospel — all addressing a common point. Local “authority” responds to whatever ripped from the week’s headline seems to need response – proof-texting one line selected from whatever page of whatever Bible translation seems to the person in the pulpit applicable.
As for the church year and liturgical vestments… Is it fair to claim that I am “triggered” by clerics –or would-be, not-yet, clerics — in stoles of rainbow stripes? A clerical stole is a vestment of church authority much like a military uniform and insignia and medals are symbols of government authority. As I reject a non-military person falsely claiming the authority and respect due a service member; as I believe “stolen valor” a problem deserving of severe correction — I react to anyone in perverse and false trappings of a priest or pastor as if they’ve stolen value from me, my traditions, and my faith. These days, the bishops and arch-bishops in all seasons are as apt to fly the colors of political alliance as they are to remind me of or call me to the seasons of Christian celebration. By all means, those who must may “let their freak flag fly” — it’s a free country. But I see no reason to continue to sit in the pews facing pastors who have so little respect for the traditions they are charged to communicate.
pouncer (df6448) — 2/10/2020 @ 7:44 pm