Music as Watching for Christ
OVER 150 years ago, John Henry Newman wrote: Now I consider this word watching, first used by our Lord, then by the favoured Disciple, then by the two great Apostles, Peter and Paul, is a remarkable word, remarkable because the idea is not so obvious as might appear at rst sight, and next because they all inculcate it. We are not simply to believe, but to watch; not simply to love, but to watch; not simply to obey, but to watch; to watch for what? for that great event, Christ’s coming... Most of us have a general idea what is meant by believing, fearing, loving, and obeying; but perhaps we do not contemplate or apprehend what is meant by watching . . .
Do you know the feeling in matters of this life, of expecting a friend, expecting him to come, and he delays? Do you know what it is to be in unpleasant company, and to wish for the time to pass away, and the hour strike when you may be at liberty? Do you know what it is to be in anxiety lest something should happen which may happen or may not, or to be in suspense about some important event, which makes your heart beat when you are reminded of it, and of which you think the rst thing in the morning?. . . Do you know what it is so to live upon a person who is present with you, that your eyes follow his, that you read his soul, that you see all its changes in his countenance, that you anticipate his wishes, that you smile in his smile, and are sad in his sadness, and are downcast when he is vexed, and rejoice in his successes? To watch for Christ is a feeling such as all these; as far as feelings of this world are t to shadow out those of another. He watches for Christ who has a sensitive, eager, apprehensive mind; who is awake, alive, quick-sighted, zealous in seeking and honouring Him; who looks out for Him in all that happens, and who would not be surprised, who would not be over-agitated or overwhelmed, if he found that He was coming at once.
Newman’s words still speak powerfully to us of the spirit of watching that pervades the Christian liturgy. Liturgy directs its gaze towards the Kingdom. This Kingdom is ultimately the fruit of the second coming of Christ in the future. To be exact, in the liturgy, we look back to the history of God’s revelation and also forward to the end of time.
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Cyprian Love
is a Benedictine monk of Glenstal Abbey, an organist and pianist, with a special interest in the theology of liturgical music, particularly improvisation. He teaches theology at St Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.