NOTEworthy July 4

When We Love

Elaine Hagenberg

The towering tree spreads his greening canopy
—A veil between the soil and sky—
Not in selfish vanity,
But the gentle thrush to shade and shelter.
So it is with love.

For when we love,
Simply love,
Even as we are loved,
Our weary world can be transformed.

The busy thrush builds her nest below
—A fortnight’s work to weave and set—
Not for herself alone,
But her tender brood to shield and cherish.
And so it is with love.

For when we love,
Simply love,
Even as we are loved,
Our weary world can be transformed
Into the Kingdom of God!

Text by Charles Anthony Silvestri

This week, I am so excited to share with you a piece that, though penned by a familiar poet, set to music by a prominent composer, and sung by one of the most storied choral programs in America, is completely new to me! I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the beauty of this musical setting and singing in this performance, but that poem. Wow, do I like that poem.

The poet, Silvestri, is a surprisingly prominent name amongst choral musicians. His lyrics are commonly set by the most significant composers in the world. To name a few, Eric Whitacre, Ola Gjielo, Dan Forrest, and Ivo Antognini frequently set his words to music. He is the biggest name in choral lyricism today, and we can see why in this fabulous text.

What speaks to me about these words is not the age-old axioms, “love is being selfless,” or “love can change the world.” Surely, these are good and worthy truths that deserve repeating, but what speaks to me about these lyrics is how they capture three important facets of love that are less talked about.

The act of loving, while varying in speed, always requires action.
Improving yourself is an act of love.
Sometimes love looks like making a safe, nurturing space for others.

A tree growing to support the thrush is the work of a lifetime. For a tree to grow to that size takes years, but the work of stretching its branches longer and longer does not produce changes that are noticeable day-to-day. The nest the thrush builds, however, takes just two weeks of work. The day-to-day changes in the nest are recognizable, obvious.

Neither the amount of time spent nor the type of work done affects the worth of these acts of love.

The image of the tree spreading its green canopy is also a great example of how our journey towards self-love and self-acceptance is another way we show love! By the tree’s investment in itself, by the roots it deepened, the branches it extended, it created a space for the birds to thrive. It created shade for the creatures below. It showed love to the world around it by allowing itself to thrive.

Sometimes the message of self sacrifice and martyrdom in Christianity can obscure this truth. We seek suffering, because we think that means we are on the right path. We deny ourselves the joy of being self-actualized, because we worry that it will come across as showboating.

Remember, that same man of sorrows who died on the cross fed the five thousand. Yes. five thousand. Jesus did not look out at the crowds and say “I’m in over my head.” Rather than give in to His disciples’ pleas to the contrary and send away the following that formed around him, He decided to offer them the little that He had.

Five loaves.

Two fish.

And it was enough.

What if the message behind the scripture (Matt 14:13-20) is not “Wow, Jesus did a miracle with some fish and bread, cool,” but that it is always worth it to love, to provide, to nurture, even when you feel that you are not enough?

And if you’re not quite ready to feed a crowd with the contents of your refrigerator, note the last point.

It takes no skill, no talent, no supernatural ability to make people feel loved and supported. Remember, the law is summed up in Galatians 5:14 as “Love your neighbor as yourself,” not “Love the Sinner, Hate the sin.” We made that one up, and somehow we still use it to hate ourselves, judge our neighbors, and hide our light under that bushel.

We are called to love. Every neighbor. Every sinner. Even ourselves.

This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.
John 15:12

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
John 15:16-17

Andy Eaton
Director of Music
First Presbyterian Church

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