ter our first rehearsal, one of the musicians told me, "Hey, you know I have a son who is a GREAT bass player. How 'bout I bring him into this gig, too?" Totally wonderful.Local merchants are supportive of the benefit to raise emergency heating funds for neighbors in need, the church is eager to welcome guests and share their hospitality and the musicians are having fun singing and experimenting. We'll be meeting at 7 pm over the next month to nail the tunes and make them our own - there's even a Sufi-inspired hymn written to a poem by Hafiz by one of the guitarists! Such sweet cooperation and creativity...
How does the Psalmist put it? "How good and pleasant it is when sisters and brothers dwell in unity!" Afterwards, over a few pints, we talked about why making music in this time and place is so important. One of the reasons has to do with how beautiful music brings healing to both those gathered for the show as well as the musicians. At this stage in our lives, we've all been around the block a few times and are mostly all too aware of our wounds. Like Nouwen and Springsteen said, we know that we are wounded healers searching for a little of that human touch.
(I love the vulnerability of the Boss in this clip... he was just climbing out of his own wilderness and man it shows. I saw both nights of this show in Cleveland and it broke my heart and fed my soul at the same time.)
I think another reason why doing music here and now feels so important is that through the creativity and beauty we are doing music grounded in compassion and hope. There have been times over the years when I was more interested in making an impression - or pouring out my aching heart - or something... But now we're into a groove that seeks to build up not tear down. And the musicians playing this gig are all committed to the same deep cause, too. They are people of faith - different traditions, to be sure - but like Paul said, we are in the service of the same God.
Today I feel blessed to be a part of it all.
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