Music has always occupied a very important place in my life. Starting with the first memories of my maternal grandfather, Don Francisco, singing and playing the organ at mass, to the usual sound of classical music records at home.
One of those vinyl records that I enjoyed so much, I later found out was a gift from my grandfather. He had a large collection. The record that arrived at my house had recorded the Brandenburg concertos by J.S. Bach.
When I listened to that recording, nothing else existed for me. Music absorbed my attention. I was very young, and I didn’t know anything about string instruments or orchestras. I don’t remember thinking “-I like this
or
-I don’t like this
I would enter a kind of trance, where everything else took a backseat.
In the end, without having pronounced any verdict, I knew that I had liked it. Something inside me took its place, something I didn’t know was out of place.
And you, have you heard something that leads you to a similar feeling?
Later, little by little, I received more records from my grandfather, so my taste for classical music expanded and strengthened. Two other authors that I listened to a lot were Hayden and Beethoven.
With these new records for me, that feeling of something inside taking its place arose again, and the whole environment again took a backseat.
Since I had these experiences from a very early age, my ear became accustomed to an artistic and precise harmony, since these were recordings of world-class orchestras.
I never had the direct reference that not everyone had the same taste or hearing acuity, until one time, in 5th grade, I had a very unusual experience.
The teacher gave us an activity in which we were all working in silence. We had been doing this for a while, when I started to hear music very close to me. I was very confused, because no one else seemed to be listening to anything, everyone continued doing their thing.
The music continued, and it took me out of what I could be doing. I stood up, looking through the window to see where it was coming from. Until I found it. In the central courtyard of the school, there was the music teacher with his guitar, because he was preparing to rehearse with a group for a festival. For me it was very impressive, that I could perceive the music from so far away. Although for me, it was as if he was right next to me.
When I found out where the music was coming from, and discovered that I wasn’t imagining it, I had the same feeling as when I listened to the classical music records that my grandfather gave me. That something was taking its place.
Later, I remember that my brother played music in his bedroom, with music that he liked. It was rock in English. Maybe because of the big difference in styles, but I didn’t like it. And I guess he didn’t like what I was listening to either, hahaha.
I was very interested in how he reacted when he played his music. He would start singing as if he were the rocker, and make movements as if he were also playing the guitar, moving his head like the rock musicians did.
In your case, what is your reaction when you start listening to the music you like?
Moses asks the people of Israel to listen, and Jesus emphasizes it:
-Listen Israel…
And the invitation is to listen our are called to love.
For you, what does love sound like?
As a child, classical music captured my attention completely, I listened with all my being. For my brother, the music he liked led him to imagine being a rock band singer.
The music you listen to, what does it lead you to?
What Moses and Jesus seem to invite us to do is to listen so we can love, and to be loved.
What does love sound like to you? Can you hear love in the midst of your life?
For me, the sound of the guitar in 5th grade was so fascinating that I had to find out where it came from.
What do you listen to, that helps you know you are loved?
What do you listen to that helps you love more deeply?
It may be music, audiobooks, conferences, programs, or… whatever you choose. Do they bring you closer to love?
If the Spirit leads you, explore with Jesus the Carpenter what are the words, music, or sounds that call you to love, and lead you to love. And perhaps, you may start together with silence.
Marisol
P.S. We can hear about the call to listen in the readings of the XXXI Sunday of Ordinary Time, year/cycle B.
