Sunday Music: Bach Cantata BWV 172
It is the sixth Sunday of Easter. The title of today’s cantata is “Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten!” (Ring out, you songs; sound, you strings!)
Today’s Gospel reading is John 15:9-17:
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit -— fruit that will last -— and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
The text of today’s cantata is available here. The words are suffused with references to love:
Whoever loves Me will keep My Word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.
. . . .
O most beloved Love, who are so sweet,
the fullness of all delight,
I faint when I lack You.
– Take the kiss of grace from Me. –
Be welcome to me in faith,
highest Love, come within!. . . .
Come, Holy Spirit, Lord God,
fill with the goodness of Your grace
the hearts, wills, and minds of Your faithful.
Ignite Your burning love in them.
By the way, if you’re looking for a more upbeat, rock-oriented message exhorting folks to love one another, check out The Ballad of Reginald Denny by VeG featuring Parthenon Huxley.
Love one another!
And happy listening!
[Cross-posted at The Jury Talks Back.]
Feelings come and go. True love is what you do.
Gryph (08c844) — 5/6/2018 @ 6:48 amThank you, Patterico. Earth abides.
Simon Jester (ad6a15) — 5/6/2018 @ 7:02 am“Love each other as I have loved you.” That is beyond my ability. I can’t love Dylann Roof. If I said I did, the Lord would know it’s a lie.
I have no doubt the Lord loves Roof. I’m ashamed to come to Him if I can’t do what He wants. I’ll keep trying to understand.
gp (0c542c) — 5/6/2018 @ 9:09 amThis is becoming part of my Sunday routine.
I’ll share this one too. Music set to poetry of Ralph W. Emerson. Not religious, but beautiful.
To the heart of youth the world is a highwayside.
Passing for ever, he fares; and on either hand,
Deep in the gardens golden pavilions hide,
Nestle in orchard bloom, and far on the level land
Call him with lighted lamp in the eventide.
Thick as stars at night when the moon is down,
Pleasures assail him. He to his nobler fate
Fares; and but waves a hand as he passes on,
Cries but a wayside word to her at the garden gate,
Sings but a boyish stave and his face is gone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAkL-qUHKEs
Patricia (3363ec) — 5/6/2018 @ 11:20 am3. Just remember, love the way Jesus explained it (agape in Greek) is not a feeling. It’s an action. That’s where the start is for what you seek.
Gryph (08c844) — 5/6/2018 @ 5:01 pmThanks, Gryph! I’ll study that.
gp (0c542c) — 5/6/2018 @ 6:16 pm