Part 2

I made a short visit home a couple of weekends ago, and my parents took me to a performance of Bach's St. John Passion with the Cleveland Orchestra.  Outstanding.  I was far more familiar with the St. Matthew Passion also by Bach, and I love that work as well, but I think I have found a new favorite.  It was an outstanding addition to my Lent observances.  Try and listen to both if you can.  The St. John has two final chorus numbers that were so amazingly impressive: the one is a sort of "lullaby" to Jesus, that He rest in peace and without pain now, and that we will no longer prevail upon him to do for us.  How overwhelmingly sad.  The last chorus is a prayer, that when God's angels wake us from our own lifeless sleep on the day of judgment, that we will open our eyes to see the face of the Redeemer, and we will sing His praises forever.  Bach perfectly sums up the central Christian belief in this.  And so I leave you to contemplate them as well.  Blessings to you all.