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SERMON P46 FOR JUNE 7, 2015
In the original bible texts, the word for spirit, or God-energy, is the same
word for breath, human, life-giving breath. I find that fascinating that the
ancients understood that our human essential life-breath is not different from the
holy.
In the original Hebrew scripture texts, much attention is paid to what the
holy is named. And in different times and in different circumstances, the name
for God changed: Elohim, Shikenah, Jehovah, and my favourite, Yahweh.
When Moses wanted a little more clarity on his new spirit-partner, he asked
outright to be told God’s name. The enigmatic answer was, “I am who I am.”
Yahweh. Yahweh. Yahweh. The very name that is spoken every time a human
person breathes. Yahweh. Our life breath is the name of God and that makes
every breath sacred. Every breath expresses our deep life connection to
creative, healing, empowering energy. Every breath is a prayer.
One thing we know about singing is that we have to breathe right. Without
good breath control, singing is just bad, out of tune, wobbly, and sad. When
breath is in the right place, the sound is glorious, an outward sign of the breath of
spirit and the breath of life. Beautiful singing captures us and beckons each one
into that saving energizing partnership with God.
We hear that beauty every week here at Parkminster in the music of the
choirs, in the sound of the bells resonating, from the band, in the sound of
Tracie’s breath through her flute or Sarah’s through her oboe. Of course we love
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to listen to great beauty. But why does it capture us so deeply? Why can we be
moved to tears or great joy by an anthem, by the lament of an oboe or the rising
sound of a flute, the sound of the bells or the energy of the band? Because God
is the music. God is the breathing vibrating sound. God is the singing and the
playing. God is the gift.
Today, this latest music year ends with a celebration of the sacred
partnership of breath and resonance. Some in our congregation, and among
our friends, have given us the gift of music that has shown us the holy. As the
apostle Paul put it, they have used their particular passion for the common
good. Our musicians have brought us the beauty of God, and we are grateful
that each has chosen to share his/her gift with us.
So thank you to our singers, ringers, and instrumentalists. You have
enlarged our spirits and you have shown us the way: That when we offer our
God-gifts, our spirits are deeper and our community is stronger. Thank you.