Music expresses that which cannot be said
and on which it is impossible to be silent.
~Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885) ~

In all the extremes of emotions in my life--happy, sad.  joyful, sorrowful.  numb, stinging with pain.  In all of those variances I am drawn and comforted with music.  

In those moments in life when I'm left speechless, sometimes there is silence.  And the silence speaks.  It works.  It expresses what can not be expressed or made tangible.  

Most often, though it's music.  

Today, after hearing about the unspeakable tragedy in Connecticut my prayers come in songs.  Lyrics.  And moving instrumentals.

First this by the amazing songwriter Alice Parker (I tried to find a video of this piece, but was unsuccessful.)

When our lives are torn by sadness,
heal our wounds with tuneful balm;
when all seems discordant madness,
help us find a measured calm.
Steady us with music's anchor
when the storms of life increase;
in the midst of hurt and rancor,
make us instruments of peace.

Turn our sighing into singing,
music born of hope restored;
set our souls and voices ringing,
tune our hearts in true accord:
till we form a mighty chorus
joining angel choirs above,
with all those who went before us,
in eternal hymns of love.

I often think of these lyrics when I hear of tragedy or sorrow or grieving.  Perhaps because it came to me in a time of my life when I was grieving deeply.  

I love how she weaves the idea of sighing--an emotion of sheer exasperation- turning into something that slowly evolves because of hope.  Exasperation can be turned to a thing of beauty because hope.  And faith.  Who among us can't imagine the day when we are able to sing again with those who have already passed?  (Shiver!  The idea gives me chills!)  

And then, my next knee-jerk prayer(you know, the kind you're uttering before you even know you're praying?) was the ultimate (in my theological mind's eye) striving prayer for Christians...St. Francis's Prayer.  

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

I could write more, but instead I'll invite you to join in prayer with these beautiful children for all of those effected by the shootings today.

NH Now Children's Choir