How Can I Keep From Singing?

You missed it, I’m sad to say. Last Sunday afternoon the Nova Scotia Youth Choir performed in New Glasgow. A capacity crowd would have been around 300, but a generous estimate of 40 people gathered to hear as many young people. They filled the sanctuary with the sweetest sound imaginable, much of it acapella. Sung with passion and conviction, the new arrangement of the old hymn, with the freshness of youth, was easily my favourite. The soloist began with clarity before the choir joined in, her poignant words still hanging in the air:
    

My life flows on in endless song above earth’s lamentation,
     I hear the sweet, though far off hymn
     that hails a new creation.
     Through all the tumult and the strife
     I hear the music ringing.
     It finds the echo in my soul,
     how can I keep from singing?
 
Surely it was written with the prophets in mind. Those who carry the burden of an unpopular message, often at their own peril, yet continue to speak their truth, believing that like a song, it must be heard. On Monday, as the headlines captured the young voice and determined expression of Gretta Thurberg calling out the misplaced priorities of those in leadership, I thought that far off hymn could be hers. She certainly is a prophet of our time, equally patronized and cast aside as an annoyance by decision makers, political and business alike.   She’s a history maker, but her prophetic voice comes through as she repeats “Don’t listen to me, listen to the science. We are in a crisis!” She doesn’t want us to be hopeful, she wants us to be afraid, that our fear may lead to action, and yet I cannot help but hear hope within her presence. She is a leader. She is taking action, she is demanding to be noticed, and because of all that, there is hope. A lone protest has inspired millions. Is that not prophetic hope?
 
This weekend, those who follow the revised common lectionary will hear the words of an ancient prophet, Jeremiah. Living during a crucial period of Judah’s existence, Jeremiah witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem, and of the temple, despite warning his people to mend their ways. While imprisoned and his people are in exile, he makes arrangements to buy a piece of land. When their descendants are liberated, they might once again farm the land of their ancestors. The prophet has hope.
 
I keep thinking about the child, who with her father and because of her convictions, will travel home across the Atlantic Ocean under sail, having done what she came to this continent to do. What courage, what conviction, what determination, and what an inconvenient truth! Yes, we’ve heard it before, but somehow coming from this determined girl, it takes on a new urgency.  People of faith can lament the passing of the good old days, spend their time and resources repairing buildings that are mostly empty, most days, or they can allow the wisdom of youth to inspire action. What could be more faithful than preserving a future for the next generation. With our very existence at stake it does seem strange to be theologically focussed on the next life but I’ll leave the judgement to you. What is the faithful work for today?
 
Rev. Donna Tourneur ministers among the people of Trinity United Church and the town of New Glasgow.