For you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings, I sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63: 7, 8
Music soothes the soul and offers hope in the midst of difficult times. It stirs the heavy heart. It reaches inside and penetrates the whole body. Music therapists use music to reach the seemingly unreachable. A friend who had Alzheimer's disease was unable to recognize her children or carry on a conversation, but when she sat down at the piano, she could play and sing hymns beautifully. It was as if the music reached into the depth of her and transformed her for that moment.
Chanting and singing is a spiritual practice in many traditions. Newcomer explains that "The sound of intoned chanting or singing (especially repetitive sounds) reaches deep into the human experience and activates parts of the brain that lowers heart rate, reduces stress and anxiety, alters brainwave activity associated with deep meditation, creativity and problem solving and can decrease levels of cortisol which helps with anxiety and irritability."
Music crosses all psychological and cultural boundaries. It brings people together forming community and solidarity with one another. The piece of music below was created when nine young violinists hiding in shelters in Ukraine were joined in harmony by famous violinists from around the world. The symphony was made up of 94 violinists representing 29 countries. It was filmed between bomb explosions. This is the first time in history that violinists from different countries with different styles and traditions of playing violin played their instruments together. In honor of the Ukrainians among them, they chose to play an old Ukranian folk song. Their music soothes the soul and offers hope in the ashes for both the musicians and those who listen.
Prayer
It is because we long for peace
that we pray.
It is because we long for wholeness
that we hunger.
It is because we need forgiveness
that we seek new beginnings.
So we come
entering the depths of our soul
to plead for peace
to summon wholeness
to beg forgiveness
of ourselves and one another
and thus of You
Soul within our soul
Light within our longings.
~John Phillip Newell
Reflection
As you listened to the music of the 94 violinists and the story of their solidarity with those sheltering in Ukraine, what did you experience? How did you experience the Holy in the music?
How does music heal and offer hope to you during this chaotic time in our country and the world?
During this Lenten season notice how music and the sounds of nature touch, heal, and offer you hope.
Resources:
Newcomer, C. (March 1, 2025). March is a Promise That Whispers in Our Ear. A Gathering
of Spirits.
Newell, J. (2011). Praying with the Earth: A Prayebook for Peace. Norwich: Canterbury Press
O'Donohue, J. (2004). The Invisible Embrace: Beauty. New York: Harper Perennial.
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