Last year, I joined the choir at church on purpose to sing the Vivaldi Gloria. This year --in a new town-- I joined the choir again after listening for several months because they (now we) consistently sing music that is both challenging and fun for the congregation and the choir, though not always the same songs for each.
So the first night I am there (about three weeks ago), I get my copy of the English version of King David, by Honegger. The work was written early last century. The playwright had asked Stravinsky, but he was too busy. Musically, the work is wonderful fun with too many notes with too many little flags. I am taking a break from my practice session to think about David. The music is moving and glorious in places. There is a line or two that I want to ponder.
The text pretty much blames God for dumping all the terrible stuff on David as the price for his flagrant sin. I know some you of literalists will not be happy with me, but I think God gets a bad rap on some of the stuff. Here is the beloved King who has a bunch of terrible stuff befall him. Seems to me that blaming God for all that happens ignores the fact that people are responsible for their lives and behavior. I remember talking with the kids about natural and logical consequences to behavior. What a terrible story, David and Absalom. Was this a case of a dysfunctional family falling apart or God's curse for David's sin with Bathsheba? Have I been reading too much Freakonomics?
I know that when my kids are going through rough times--even when their own behavior caused the rough times--my thoughts are not about the curses they have called down on their own heads. My thoughts are about their pain and how I can help without becoming part of the problem.
I know in my own life, I am not always ready to turn to God for help. Maybe I didn't see how deep the water was. Maybe I didn't see the edge of the cliff. Maybe I did. I will say this for David. Once he saw the problem, he was the first one to get on his knees, face (pick one), and cry out to God.
Well, I need to get back to my practice CD. Did I mention that the copy he gave us to work from is in the original French I really have to count to be sure I am in time, I can't just cheat and follow the words (all the time).
So the first night I am there (about three weeks ago), I get my copy of the English version of King David, by Honegger. The work was written early last century. The playwright had asked Stravinsky, but he was too busy. Musically, the work is wonderful fun with too many notes with too many little flags. I am taking a break from my practice session to think about David. The music is moving and glorious in places. There is a line or two that I want to ponder.
The text pretty much blames God for dumping all the terrible stuff on David as the price for his flagrant sin. I know some you of literalists will not be happy with me, but I think God gets a bad rap on some of the stuff. Here is the beloved King who has a bunch of terrible stuff befall him. Seems to me that blaming God for all that happens ignores the fact that people are responsible for their lives and behavior. I remember talking with the kids about natural and logical consequences to behavior. What a terrible story, David and Absalom. Was this a case of a dysfunctional family falling apart or God's curse for David's sin with Bathsheba? Have I been reading too much Freakonomics?
I know that when my kids are going through rough times--even when their own behavior caused the rough times--my thoughts are not about the curses they have called down on their own heads. My thoughts are about their pain and how I can help without becoming part of the problem.
I know in my own life, I am not always ready to turn to God for help. Maybe I didn't see how deep the water was. Maybe I didn't see the edge of the cliff. Maybe I did. I will say this for David. Once he saw the problem, he was the first one to get on his knees, face (pick one), and cry out to God.
Well, I need to get back to my practice CD. Did I mention that the copy he gave us to work from is in the original French I really have to count to be sure I am in time, I can't just cheat and follow the words (all the time).
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