Faith
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
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Proverbs 10:8
I struggle with scripture memorization; however, turning it to English poetry helps me recall the passage and concept with better clarity. “The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.” Proverbs 10:8, ESV A babbling brook without a springIs he who speaks on all but nothing. That’s all! Nothing Continue reading
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The Woman, The Well, and the Wedding
Samaritan Woman at the Well 6th century Mosaic Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna Continue reading
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On Dying Arts and the Art of Dying
“Do churches even still have organs?” asked a woman yesterday when I told her about my job. I was unsurprised by her incredulity, for I am often struck that the work I do for a living is a dying art. My life, it seems, as an organist and writer, centers around such “dying” arts. The Continue reading
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An Easter Rehearsal
I know my feet are prone to slip, unsure, So I play it again: Alleluia. And I know my hands may strike without measure, So I play it once more: Alleluia. But, worst, I know my heart is yet impure, So I pray it again: Alleluia, Amen. The organist and choristers know well The rehearsed Continue reading
2021 poetry, church music, church musician, church organ, church organist, Easter Sunday, Holy Saturday, holy week poetry, hymn, hymnology, Jesus Christ is Risen Today, liturgical living, liturgy, organ, organist, poem, poetry, practice musical practice, practicing, praising, rejoice, rejoicing, sacred poetry, Triduum -
Hymn to The Reconciler
I worked on this sonnet throughout Holy Week but, as my organist schedule would have it, did not have a chance to revise and publish it until now. So, here you are: a short contemplation on the incarnate Christ. *(Forgive my limping poetic meter…I prefer to conduct my poems in a musical pattern rather than Continue reading
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Were You There?
One of my favorite Passion Week hymns is “Were You There?” I have formative memories of it being sung by a lone baritone in a darkened church, the haunting postlude to a Tenebrae service. Today, as I listened to the provocative question sung once more on a “Holy Week” Spotify playlist, I felt an answer Continue reading
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When the Race is a Relay
I love to run, often using it as a time of prayer and contemplation. (Admittedly, such prayers are sometimes something along the lines of, “Please help me catch my breath…”) Running, often used as an analogy for the Christian life, has taught me many lessons. Aside from the physical and mental benefits, much of my Continue reading
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Starvation
I’ve written before about my past struggles with eating and body image. One of the most valuable lessons I learned through this issue, though, is this: The starving man (or woman) does not always know that he is hungry. The starving man does not always know that he is hungry. When hunger is ignored long Continue reading
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Accepting Ministry as Ministry
I have served as a church musician for as long as I can remember and, although I am passionate about this ministry for many reasons, I admit that part of why I enjoy it so much is that it provides a clear role for me during worship services. As I wrote in an early post, Continue reading
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VIII. The Demon-Possessed Boy (9:14-29)
Horrors.There is no other wordFor the things I have seen,And sat helplessly by—Useless. My own son, ripped from my armsBy a force I could not fight. But I am his father!Guilt stabs at me like a knife,But how can I defend him whenThe enemy, the invaderMakes war from within? My own flesh and blood,My beloved, Continue reading
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VII. The Blind Man (8:22-26)
Touch me, someone,That I might know you’re there! Greet me, anyone,So I am not aloneIn this dark, dark, darkness. I am begging,Begging for more than foodOr loose coins. It is light that I am starving for—The light of a presenceA light to show me outOf this eternal, internalDarkness. My heart yearnsEach morning and evening—Both are Continue reading
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VI. The Deaf Man (7:31-37)
I cannot tellWhat these gestures mean.Why do you all waveYour hands at me? I can only guess atThe words on your lipsAnd can only makeVain attemptsTo do as you do,To speak as you speak. By your wrinkled browsAnd worried looks,I know I am failing. I fail also to understand.Where are you taking me?Who is this man? Continue reading
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Ryanne Molinari 