Friday 2 April 2021

A Great Prophet.

On a cold and overcast Friday all the Christians in the world are in full swing for their most important festival of their year. Good Friday marks the day when Jesus was crucified. Churches at veiled and stripped bare. The Stations of the Cross recount the passion. And terrifying and agonising music in minor keys marks the day. It is the blackest of days for them. But salvation is nearly here.

In 1997 I went to Jordan with my dad. I recall asking our tour guide Ghussan what Muslims thought of Jesus. His response was that one could not be a Muslim without believing in Jesus as a great prophet but they do not believe he is the son of God.

The truth such as it is is that this weekend is significant to all three of the great monotheistic faiths in the world.

I walked away from the church, Christianity was a significant influence on my childhood. But I still have the wondrous music. So today as every year I listened to Allegri's Miserere and Lotti's Crucifixus and as every year I was moved to tears by such astonishing works of art.

Immersed as I was in church music in my youth I sang every Easter from 1980 to 1993 either here or abroad. The lone exception was in 1984 when I missed a choir tour because I had been packed off on some terrible French exchange my memories of which are still of being lonely and depressed.

I may no longer sing but if you have read anything on this blog or follow my social media you will know just how much music I listen to.

The resurrection which is the greatest day in the Christian calendar is on Sunday. And I will celebrate with great indulgence. Smoked salmon and English fizz will start me off followed by roast duck and Chianti. Not sure I will have room for pudding but it will be grand.

Added into this is an extra long weekend for me. Today and Monday are public holidays here in the UK. I took yesterday off and likewise Tuesday. So a time to sleep, reflect, recuperate and celebrate is upon us.

As salvation from this terrible pandemic seems within sight may we all celebrate ye of all faiths and none.

I Heard a Voice.  

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