George Herbert (1593-1633) was a skilled pastor, teacher and musician. He wrote the poem “Easter”. Vaughan Willaims (1872-1958) set this poem to music as the first of his Five Mystical Songs. This Sunday, at 2 p.m. in the Cathedral, I will present this music at a free Easter spring vocal recital. Dr. Joel Bacon, Colorado State University professor and internationally known organist will accompany me on organ.
In the first stanza of this poem states, “That, as his death calcined thee to dust, His life may make thee gold, and much more. Just.” The definition of calcined is “reduced, oxidized, or desiccated by roasting or exposing to strong heat.” Jesus’ heart burned so deeply out of love for all of us! Will we allow ourselves to be exposed to that burning love so that it will deflate our egos to the point, where we may fully cooperate with God’s will and not our own?
Romans 6:8-11 says, “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him”.
When we are brought low, it is then that our human condition can be strengthened, and we can live more complete moral lives. The transformative power of Christ’s death and resurrection can turn dust into gold.
The second stanza of the poem states, “His stretched sinews, taught all strings what key is best to celebrate, this most high day.” Christ stretched out on the cross becomes God’s instrument playing a melody of love to the world. The third stanza of the poem states, “O let thy blessed Spirit bear a part, And make up our defects with his sweet art.” The Holy Spirit provides for our deficiencies. Come, Holy Spirit!