Views from the Choir Loft

Silence and The Thoughts of His Heart

Richard J. Clark · June 19, 2020

HERE HAS BEEN been too much hurt and suffering in the world to express anything adequately in words. There is societal and personal pain, grief in the music world, challenge in our liturgical and sacramental life.

Our souls are hurting and in crisis.

I am reminded of the need for silence: “Music arises out of silence and returns to silence…The importance of silence in the Liturgy cannot be overemphasized. (§118. Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship)

I have no words.

I LEAVE YOU WITH TWO instrumental works upon which to meditate, first, an organ work based on the Introit to the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: The Thoughts of His Heart.

The second is a four-movement meditation on Psalm 139 Fearfully and Wonderfully Made with Richard Kelley, trumpet. This work will be published with WLP/G.I.A. You’ll notice the Covid-19 spacing in our informal video.

Wishing you peace and love,
Richard

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made
I. Lord, You Have Searched Me
Psalm 139:1 Lord, you have searched me, you know me.

II. You Know When I Sit and When I Arise.
139:2 You know when I sit and when I arise; you know my thoughts, even from afar.

III. Where Can I Flee from Your Presence?
Psalm 139:7 Where can I run from your spirit or where can I flee from your presence? If I should go to the heavens, there you are; if I sleep in the depths, you are also there.

IV. I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Psalm 139:14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. All your works are wonderful; this I know full well.

Recorded at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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