We can believe and trust in his love no matter
who is in charge of our world,
so long as Jesus rules our hearts,
and through that rule, love is ultimately victorious.
who is in charge of our world,
so long as Jesus rules our hearts,
and through that rule, love is ultimately victorious.
--Fr. Patrick Michaels, August 6, 2022
As Fr. Pat reminded us in his homily on the Feast of the Transfiguration, the celebration of this moment in Jesus' life shares a date with one of the most horrifying acts of human history, the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. This poem by William Blake reminds us of the choices behind that action; it was laid over a vocal piece by Lorena McKennitt in 1985.
O for a voice like thunder, and a tongue
To drown the throat of war! - When the senses
Are shaken, and the soul is driven to madness,
Who can stand? When the souls of the oppressed
Fight in the troubled air that rages, who can stand?
When the whirlwind of fury comes from the
Throne of God, when the frowns of his countenance
Drive the nations together, who can stand?
When Sin claps his broad wings over the battle,
And sails rejoicing in the flood of Death;
When souls are torn to everlasting fire,
And fiends of Hell rejoice upon the slain,
O who can stand? O who hath caused this?
O who can answer at the throne of God?
The Kings and Nobles of the Land have done it!
Hear it not, Heaven, thy Ministers have done it!
To drown the throat of war! - When the senses
Are shaken, and the soul is driven to madness,
Who can stand? When the souls of the oppressed
Fight in the troubled air that rages, who can stand?
When the whirlwind of fury comes from the
Throne of God, when the frowns of his countenance
Drive the nations together, who can stand?
When Sin claps his broad wings over the battle,
And sails rejoicing in the flood of Death;
When souls are torn to everlasting fire,
And fiends of Hell rejoice upon the slain,
O who can stand? O who hath caused this?
O who can answer at the throne of God?
The Kings and Nobles of the Land have done it!
Hear it not, Heaven, thy Ministers have done it!
To hear Lorena McKinnett's piece Lullaby (from her album Elemental), voiced behind the words of this poem by William Blake, click on the video below:
Image source: Terrane McKillup, Transfiguration, https://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/138903662785/more-transfiguration-art
No comments:
Post a Comment