JOYFUL PIECE #90
Joy over oppression
Taizé Cross, image by Surfnico, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. [1]
The soothing sounds of Taizé instrumental music and chants have a calming effect on me. When I get indignant and fiery I often reach for Taizé.
One song that I frequently repeat, mentally or vocally, is “Laudate Omnes Gentes”. I became a bit troubled by the fact that I would not accurately recall the second phrase, “Laudate Dominus”. I would unconsciously substitute “omnibus” for “Dominus”.
I thought I would investigate this a bit. It turns out that “omnibus”, in the original Latin, means “carry us”. Is that mystical or what?
I do not purport to be a mystic, but for this Latin ignoramus to discover that basic meaning of omnibus was impactful. Maybe I am being influenced by higher forces.
The fascists are doubling down in implementing their agenda. We need to resist with compassionate vigor, smartly. I concede that it is a very difficult task with each wave of opprobrium. But, we have no choice to be who we are and resist accordingly.
May you be similarly influenced as you engage in #Resistance with Joy. Do not let the fascists get you down. #Resist the GOP Schutzstaffel with joy and verve. See [2] & [3] below for the Taizé Community and its music.
Manuel, the more I read your letters, the more I like you :)
You are among the few that I read that bring balance and strength of mind to the conversation.
If we let the fascists make us continuously angry and depressed, they have won. We have given them power. We have lost the battle of the mind. Thank you for all that you write.
I listened to some of the Taize. I read about it. I love that it seems to be founded in a desire for peace. However, for me, anything that sounds like "church" is repellent. That's just my issue. A hangup, I guess.
I use other forms of music and sometimes just the sound of the wind and birds to calm myself, as I till the soil.
Keep writing. I think you live as far away from me as another American could be. But I am very impressed with how closely our world views seem to align. Peace.
Whoa. This is definitely a good sign.🥰
"One song that I frequently repeat, mentally or vocally, is “Laudate Omnes Gentes”. I became a bit troubled by the fact that I would not accurately recall the second phrase, “Laudate Dominus”. I would unconsciously substitute “omnibus” for “Dominus”.
I thought I would investigate this a bit. It turns out that “omnibus”, in the original Latin, means “carry us”. Is that mystical or what?
I do not purport to be a mystic, but for this Latin ignoramus to discover that basic meaning of omnibus was impactful. Maybe I am being influenced by higher forces."