Comfortable Words

(Regarding Jazz Vespers – from Bread for the Saints 2011)

Many years ago, I sang in the choir at the Church of Saint John the Divine in Victoria, at the 11:00 Choral Eucharist – which was nearly always a Book of Common Prayer service.  I remember that my favourite part of the service was “Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith…”  I think I loved the sound of the word comfortable.  It felt, like much of the language of the BCP for me, cosy.  Until one day, when I mentioned this to a priest at the church who promptly explained to me what “comfort” actually meant in this context.  It meant to give strength.  I still think the words that follow give comfort as I originally thought but I also understand how they can give strength to a hearer and sustain those who might stand in need of it: “Come unto me all that labour and are heavy laden and I will refresh you.”  “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” 

I think of improvisation in general and Jazz Vespers in particular, as providing a new lens on something we’ve all heard before.  We take a tune that is familiar and interpret it in new ways, examine it from different angles, see what new thing it might have to teach us.  And so with the words of scripture that might be read, or sung.  What does the music tell us about the words we’re hearing for the thousandth time?  I once had the very great privilege to hear someone read a gospel reading as if he were reading a newspaper article.  It was fascinating to me how differently I heard what was being read.  Similarly, again in the BCP, the Eucharistic prayer included the words, “Drink ye all of this” which, for more years than I like to think possible I heard as “Drink ye, all of this” until, one day, someone new to the parish said, “Drink ye all, of this.”  Oh.   I am awestruck by the strength with which the truth will resonate whether or not the individual words or notes make sense, (or whether or not the person hearing them has engaged her brain).

Every time I prepare for Jazz Vespers – whether I’m helping to choose readings, or hymns or reading over the psalm to make sure I know what I’m singing, I’m reminded of the way in which our perceptions shape our understanding.  And not only our perceptions but our needs as well.  I am often humbled because I find that words or a tune which may merely (or even severely) irritate me may have considerable power to move and shape someone else’s experience of God’s world.  I am reminded that among the musicians I meet, the best of them embody the greatest generosity of spirit.  It is my privilege to assist them to offer their gifts to the enlightenment of all who join us and to provide an opportunity for everyone, whether they’re there because it’s warm or because they’re groupies or for some reason known only to God, to partake of a little comfort.