The art form closest to faith
Music often enables us to feel or express things that words alone cannot do.
We all have favourite hymns or songs, some that cause a flood of emotion because they take us back to a particular person or time, and others that help us feel a sense of community - such as during worship. And, of course, music does help to bring us closer to God both because of the way it moves our spirits, and because of the words we sing to it.
I have been reflecting on this since I read my daily 'Thought for the Day' from lona this week. It included the words:
Music is the art form closest to faith, because unlike literature or painting it does not take its substance from the known world. It comes melody, harmony, rhythm - from the beyond. But it takes on flesh when, played or sung in our presence, it becomes allied to a particular place, time and company. It is not a consumerist commodity. It is a treasure buried in a field which, when cherished, can be an intimation of heaven.
[John L Bell, from All That Matters]
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