Art in Lent: Music, the Pieta, and thinking about how we express ourselves

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Music at St Paul has been difficult at times over the last 2 years. Yet, we have continued to find ways to play, sing, and ring through worship and other events in our lives. This past week - on Sunday, March 6th - the 11:00 Choir sang "Lamb of God" by M. Christiansen. You can go here and look for that service in our archives: https://www.stpaullc.net/video-archives - it starts about 50:48.

This morning on Sunday, March 13th our 8:30 Choir sang K. Lee Scott's "Contemplation of the Cross" - which can be found by going to the same link, and going to that service at 8:30 in the archives, beginning around 36:20.

Both of these anthems are a sample of the music of Lent that reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus would make. This sacrifice has inspired a good bit of art over the centuries including beautiful music, sculpture and paintings. 

For example - here is an image of the Pieta by Michelangelo - how he imagined Mary might hold the body of her son and mourn:


Music and other art forms have long been expressions that we share of what we experience, of finding meaning in life, and even depicting our feelings in ways so that others might understand. In the community of church we value communication. Art can enable us to express what lies deep within us - to share what we cannot always put into words.

Throughout our Lenten journey this year, we pray that we can stay unmasked, pray for peace in our world and an end to viruses and disease, an end to war and greed, and an end to all that turns us away from God - all that is evil. We follow Jesus Christ on the road to the cross - for there we experience our Savior's love that lead us through his suffering, death, to the tomb, the grave and the resurrection - hope for all of us. 

The next time you enter our narthex - look up the wall above the doors into the Nave - there you will see artist Toby Reese's contribution to our worship space. Maybe I'll post a picture of those paintings for you soon. 

We follow Jesus on his journey to the cross in Lent. There will be different music for this journey. Together, we pray for our world: Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.

(Pieta image - by Stanislav Traykov - Edited version of (cloned object out of background) Image:Michelangelo's Pieta 5450 cropncleaned.jpg), CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3653602)

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