Patterico's Pontifications

11/17/2019

Sunday Music: Bach Cantata BWV 183

Filed under: Bach Cantatas,General,Music — Patterico @ 12:01 am



It is the twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost. Today’s Bach cantata is “Sie werden euch in den Bann tun” (They will put you under banishment):

Today’s Gospel reading is Luke 21:5-19:

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.

The text of today’s piece is available here. It contains these words:

They will put you under banishment, but the time will come, when, whoever kills you will think that he does God a service by it.

. . . .

You are a Spirit that teaches
how one should rightly pray;
your prayers will be heard,
your singing is harmonious.
It climbs up to heaven,
it rises and will not diminish,
until the One has lent aid,
who alone is able to help.

Stand up for what you know is right. Even if you are persecuted for it.

Happy listening! Soli Deo gloria.

[Cross-posted at The Jury Talks Back.]

6 Responses to “Sunday Music: Bach Cantata BWV 183”

  1. The following is a meditation on today’s Gospel reading from Bible verse of the day

    This prophecy of Jesus will most certainly unfold. How will it unfold, practically speaking? That’s still to be seen.

    True, some people may say that this prophecy is already being fulfilled in our world. Some will try to associate this and other prophetic passages of Scripture with a certain time or event.

    But this would be a mistake. It would be a mistake because the very nature of a prophecy is that it’s veiled. All prophecy is true and will be fulfilled, but not all prophecy will be understood with perfect clarity until Heaven.

    So what do we take from this prophetic word from our Lord? Though this passage may, in fact, refer to more grand and universal events to come, it may also speak to our own particular situations present in our life today.

    Therefore, we should allow His words to speak to us within those situations. One specific message this passage tells us is that we should not be surprised if, at times, it appears as if our world is rattled to the core.

    In other words, when we see chaos, evil, sin and malice all around us, we should not be surprised and we should not get discouraged. This is an important message for us as we press on through life.

    For each one of us, there may be many “earthquakes, famines, and plagues” that we encounter in life. They will take on various forms and will be the cause of much distress at times. But they do not need to be.

    If we understand that Jesus is aware of the chaos we may encounter and if we understand that He actually prepared us for it, we will be more at peace when the troubles come.

    In a sense, we will be able to simply say, “Oh, this is one of those things, or one of those moments, Jesus said would come.” This understanding of the challenges to come should help prepare us for them and endure them with hope and trust.

    Reflect, today, on any particular ways that this prophetic word of Christ has taken place in your own life. Know that Jesus is there in the midst of all apparent chaos, leading you through to the glorious conclusion He has in mind for you!

    felipe (023cc9)

  2. Here is a Homily given today by a Missionary of Mercy.

    felipe (023cc9)

  3. Patterico, I hope my two previous comments are not viewed as an abuse of the privilege of commenting here. I am merely trying to flesh out the Gospel. I would welcome sermons with different perspectives, offered by other commenters.

    felipe (023cc9)

  4. Not at all! I appreciate them and will reflect on them more later.

    Patterico (115b1f)

  5. Thank you. Here is another “homily” on today’s Gospel. It is by a falsly accused and imprisoned Priest. If you like science, then you will like his Post.

    felipe (023cc9)

  6. Love these Sunday musical meditations, Patrick.
    Thanks

    Patricia (3363ec)


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