The Light of Immortality

Today whole day long, this beautiful music J.S. Bach’s “Concerto for Two Violins in D minor” (BWV1043) is haunting me. The music I played with two violinists at a funeral. This funeral was special, not sad, rather encouraging. The old lady that passed away written a note, told us that she thanks God for the gift of life. Her contentment reminds me of another J.S. Bach’s music “I am content” (BWV82). Before I talk about BWV82, it worth to mention why the old lady wish “Concerto for Two Violins” for her funeral.

Last year December, in a funeral, I played the very same piece of music, it was also a wish from the grieving family. As the funeral parlour called me last week and asked if I can play this piece of music again, I thought, maybe this piece of music is just very popular for funeral. At the funeral, I realized, the funeral in December was the husband of this old lady and she followed him in March. The music J.S. Bach’s “Concerto for Two Violins in D minor” (BWV1043) is played on their wedding day. What a privilege to have witness this kind of love story that last for a life time, moreover, to join their celebration of love by playing their theme song as they departed this temporally earth.

Now I can continue to tell you my concert experience in Berlin where I listened to “I am content” BWV82. In previous blog post, I wrote:
I was in a concert in Berlin that I experienced profound peace by listening to J.S. Bach Cantata BWV 82 I am content.

I think this need more elaboration. Profound peace? What kind of peace is that? I am not a theologian or a philosopher to give you an academic answer. I am a traveller, I can share with you the peace that I experienced through a traveller’s perspective.

Berlin is a city that very rich in culture. The concerts with prominent musicians at the same time at different locations. Friends and I were in Berlin, but we have to went to different concerts separately because too many choices at the same time. At least we manage to attend the Sunday worship service in Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church together. Also, during the time, Daniel Barenboim was conducting music in Unter den Linden. Music is important to me, but on Sunday, my priority is worship service even when I am off duty.

The book shops in Berlin are big and with strong character. Dussmann book store has 5 floors, I spend one whole day there. Bücherbogen book store has wonderful collection of books about art. Autorenbuchhandlung book store has world literature, its book categories are sorted based on continent. One round in the book shop, I have done a world trip. And many more book stores that I did not have time to visit.

Various museums. At the museum island, I read the history of world culture. Ancient Greek, ancient Rome, ancient Egypt, statues, paintings. Those glorious empires and kings, where are they now? All of their lives busy conquering lands and build magnificent grave with guarding stone lions. How much more wealth, power and fame can make them content? Is having more can make one content?

Wealth, power and fame have nothing wrong in them, they are even useful if we use them wisely. People in the right position can effectively make a change, a generous wealthy people could make donation for good causes also to support art and music. However, they are wrong goals of life. Those past kings and fallen kingdoms were the proofs. A life after wealth, fame and power will only make one miserable, for they are bottomless holes and always make one want for more but never content.

The days running from one museum to another museum was definitely an enrichment to me, I amazed at the ideas also the high artisanship of these ancient people. But after some days, I felt worn out and empty. Then come the concert with “I am content” BWV82.

It is about Simeon was content after he has seen Jesus, he could depart the world peacefully and delightfully (Luke 2:22-35). I suddenly understood that peace comes from contentment. Be content like Simeon, like the old lady that I played organ at her funeral and profound peace follows. I think Psalm 131:2 can explain the contentment more concrete: Like a baby content in its mother’s arms. Like a satiated child, so is my soul still within me.

Good news, to achieve contentment is to be like a baby, not a king. Below is a painting of Simeon holding the baby Jesus Christ.