Eternal flame -- "Lux aeterna"

At yesterday's Washington Masterworks Chorale performance at the Kennedy Center, the choral group performed four selections, two sung in Latin, one in Hebrew, and one in Russian. It was an amazing performance. But the most beautiful of all was "Lux Aeterna," a composition by Morten Lauridsen, sounding as ancient as the creation of the world -- ethereal and soul-soothing. It, alone, would make an atheist believe in God. But Lauridsen wrote it as recently as 1997, upon the death of his mother.


I have been listening to it all morning, letting the voices lift my spirits. Lauridsen has written other pieces and won many awards, but this must certainly be his magnum opus. Eternal flame, eternal light -- they speak of God and creation and of God everlasting.  


As I sit here, listening, I'm struck by the memory of movies like "Contact" and "Close Encounters." Both underscored the significance of light and sound (musical tones in the latter) to make contact with beings in outer space. And why not? What is more primal than light and music, both speaking a universal language and connecting us to the far reaches of space, as well as to the depths of our own souls. To me, those are direct connections to God. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life." This music makes me feel that -- know it, even. 

Whether it's the small flame of a candle, an incredible sunrise, the northern lights, the sun, the moon, or the night sky-- all are manifestations of "lux aeterna," the eternal flame of love. Just listen for yourself, and you'll see what I mean. Links to the music are here.
http://youtu.be/nhfrG_AsbxQ
http://youtu.be/LJEEESpXhUU  and


http://youtu.be/izsW6LjExEQ