Cantata Sunday (kənˈtädə sənˌdā). A Sunday on which a Bach cantata is performed as part of Bach Cantata Vespers. Also known as A Long Day at Church. Often thoughtful, sometimes tearful.
One of the petitions in the Litany we use in the vespers liturgy is a list of people in need, culminating in "and all who await from the Lord great and abundant mercy." Once upon a time, when I was younger and self-involved (more self-involved than I am now), I thought this was group of people awaiting mercy was a subgroup of humanity, people with particular, urgent problems who needed God to solve them now. Why did I think this? Because I included myself in that group and could not think much beyond myself.
Foolish youngster! Who among us, from day-old newborn to gray-haired elder, does not need God's great and abundant mercy? I have long since yielded up my miserable hubris. Other people feel scared and vulnerable, too, and have intractable problems, unsolvable dilemmas. Knowing this makes life easier. I'm not alone.
And we need God's mercy more than ever now, after a transition in government here in the U. S. You don't need a recap here from me. There's plenty to read everywhere you look. A lot to take in and a lot for the people of God to respond to, a flood of willfulness meant to clog our discernment and slow our response.
Today at church I heard some particular groups of people named who are feeling dismissed and frightened. They are part of "all who await, etc." In naming some, we should not forget others lest we allow our self-protecting, self-justifying brains to divide the world into People Like Me and People Not So Much Like Me.
I once thought I was special when we came to that petition in Evening Prayer — I had something I very much wanted a merciful God to grant me. But I was not alone, or part of a select group. All, all await God's mercy. Migrants, yes, the LGBTQ community. But also people who are disabled, people who need Medicaid to provide health care, civil servants, military leaders, lawyers and judges, refugees, and more. Fortunately God's mercy is great and abundant.
What disturbs me more than any single Executive Order of last week is the way our nation's stated values have shifted. "For all" has become "for certain ones," or only for "real Americans." I guess, on a civic level, one could discuss this, even justify the ins and outs, who's alike, who's different. Earthly kingdoms are not God's kingdom. But we who, trusting in God's mercy, prayed and sang BWV 111 together today, saying "God's will is best" -- it's up to us to be part of the mission of bringing God's good and merciful will to the world.
Pick your issue. What are you concerned about? Who can you speak for? Where can you do the most good? And join the ensemble. Many members, one body.
Seems almost heretical to add this after Bach -- but I keep hearing that "High School Musical" refrain in my head. "We're all in this together."
2 comments:
This is well written and profound
Well said, Gwen.
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