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A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley

Good morning.

On this day in 1742, George Frederick Handel’s oratorio ‘Messiah’ was given its first performance in Dublin. It has remained a popular staple of choirs ever since, and under normal circumstances would no doubt receive numerous airings in this Easter season.

A number of years ago, while we were living in New Zealand, my husband and I travelled to the Pacific Island nation of Tonga, where I was leading seminars for local clergy. My husband, a musician decided at the last minute to pack a score of Handel’s Messiah, just in case. It turned out that this was a wise decision, as we experienced one of the most incredible musical performances we have ever heard. With my husband accompanying on the organ, a church modestly filled with local clergy stood up to sing in perfect harmony the oratorio’s iconic Hallelujah chorus, in Tongan. It was an amazing experience.

Music has immense power to draw people together, and at its best can overcome boundaries of culture and language. In giving expression to our feelings, music has an ability to console and challenge too. I know musicians and choirs are missing being able to play and sing together in person at the moment. I never imagined that I would hear that particular piece of classical music on a Pacific Island, and I was surprised with the freshness of the encounter. I still can’t listen to it without thinking of the Tongan singers and reflect on how much they taught me about joy for the gift of life.

Today we pray and give thanks for all musicians and composers. God who instils creativity in each one of us, help us to use our gifts – even in lockdown - for the benefit of those around us.

Amen.