Celebrating Today

 

Today is a holy day.  Not because you need to start thawing your turkey so it is ready for Thursday.  Although that is a good idea.  Not because you are praying that the store still has the fixings for green bean casserole, which clearly the Pilgrims would have served at the first Thanksgiving if only those delicious French-fried onions had been invented.  Not because you have thirty-three shopping days left until Christmas, and we all know that last minute shoppers this year are going to be gifting you a Snicker’s bar and socks because that is all that will be left on the shelves.

 

No, today is holy because it is the Feast of St. Cecilia.

 

And the people of God all said, “Oh, of course, I knew that.  I am totally going to celebrate that today by singing the song Cecilia by Simon and Garfunkel.”

 

Actually, that isn’t as much of a joke as you might think ~ not only because it isn’t that funny.  St. Cecilia is the patron saint of music.  It is reported that she made a vow of virginity, but her parents forced her to marry.  On her wedding day, she sat apart singing to God in her heart.  She was eventually martyred for her faith.  Although, we are not quite sure when exactly she died.  In 1516, the artist Raphael painted the Ecstasy of St. Cecilia (see painting above).  In 1570, Normandy hosted the first music festival in her honor.  Over the years, famous composers were commissioned to create works in her memory.  In fact, some even say that song, Cecilia by Simon and Garfunkel is about her. 

 

See how much you learn reading these morning meditations?

 

Today, to honor St. Cecilia, listen to music.  Listen to your favorite music as a prayer practice and posture.  Maybe you want to start playing Christmas carols, contemporary music, or begin to compose the hymn to Mary that I asked for back in October.  You thought I had forgotten about that, didn’t you?  Let us honor one who has inspired others to create beautiful music.  Let us honor Cecilia who first knew the truth that to sing is to pray twice.  Let us find ways to get caught up in the holy which hums, conducts, and composes our life every day.

 

Prayer: When in our music, O God, You are glorified, and adoration leaves no room for human pride, we join with all Your creation unified singing, Alleluia!