I have begun a new set of music entitled, “A Paschal Journey.”
For all human beings, but especially for those of us who have been baptized, our lives are a series of Paschal journeys. We are linked intimately to the paschal journey of Jesus, in which we still celebrate in this Easter season. The life of Jesus teaches us that they are three stages to a Paschal journey: namely, Passion, Death, and Resurrection. What we learn from Jesus’ Paschal journey is that to get to the Resurrection, we have to first pass through and endure a Passion, and a Death. The one thing consistent with a Paschal journey is transformation. Who we once were is altered forever. We can never go back to who we once were. We are changed people.
With the Covid-10 pandemic, all of the world is in the midst of a Paschal journey. Millions of people all undergoing a Paschal journey, but each in our own unique and different ways. We all are experiencing loss. For some, their Paschal journey is about a loss of health, a loss of someone they love from Covid-19. For others, it is a loss of security, a loss of income, a loss of freedom. Our losses, our passions are as numerous as those who are suffering.
This is the germ behind the composing of this new set of music. I am trying to express in music the steps in our individual Paschal journeys. For some structure, I am using the structure of the Passion and Resurrection stories of John. In this 13th Opus of music (Opus is a musical term for a collection of music), I envision 13 songs. Of the 13 songs, I have composed five.
I begin this musical journey with “mystery.” I call the first song, “Prelude – Kyrie.” As you listen to this song (it is a repost from an earlier blog), think of the scene in Exodus when Moses approaches the Burning Bush. He is shepherding the flock of his father-in-law on Mount Horeb when he sees this burning bush. It is all ablaze yet the bush is not consumed by the intense flames. He approaches the bush and hears God speak from the bush, ““Moses, Moses!” And he (Moses) said, “Here I am.” ⁵ Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” ⁶ He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” (Exodus 3:4-6, New Revised Standard Version)
As we enter our Paschal journey, we come to the awareness that we are not the center of the universe. There is something far greater than we. There is something that is beyond our understanding. In the 12 steps, it is calling it our “Higher Power” however we name that Higher Power.
And so, as we begin our Paschal journey we do so in humility, taking off our shoes, and realizing that we are entering something that will cause us discomfort, uncertainty, pain, and the death of who we are right now. Like the burning bush in the story from Exodus, we will be consumed by Divine flame that will strip us of all that is false about us, and will transform us into who we are being called to become.
As you listen to this music, think about the Paschal journey in which you find yourself right now. While you may feel that you are being consumed by the flames of uncertainty, loss, anxiety and fear of the unknown, also know that, like Moses, God will envelop you in a loving embrace that will protect you. You enter not knowing how this journey will end, but knowing that God loves you with an everlasting love.
