Composers from Verdi to Mozart and Howard Hanson to John Rutter have composed a version of Lux Aeterna…but my favorite is the one composed by Rutter in his Requiem composed over 20 years ago now.  I’ve listened to its resonance so much in the past few days that I started researching the meaning behind the song.  Simply, Lux Aeterna is Latin for “Eternal Light”.  The song itself translates as follows:

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I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me: “Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors…even so saith the Sprit.” Let eternal light shine upon them, O Lord: with Thy saints forever, for thou art merciful.  Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine on them.
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I found it unusual tonight that my iTunes shuffled directly to the next song by one of my modern-day favorites, Elton John, singing his infamous “Candle in the Wind.” A candle – not an “eternal light” – caught in a tumultuous whipping wind.  The song is a tribute to Marilyn Monroe.  Most know her story – a very troubled life; a woman whose soul was likely FAR from one who “died in the Lord”; a soul that likely never found “eternal rest.” Some of you may remember that Sir Elton rewrote Candle in the Wind especially for Princess (or Lady) Diana’s funeral years ago.  What a stark contrast in personas…but quite possibly, two souls whose deaths were so traumatic in their own rights that eternal rest from such turmoil would be the utmost answer to prayer.

It’s funny really…last weekend I attended Mahler’s Symphony 2 – known as the Resurrection Symphony.  Mahler’s composition is incredible…and, well, truth be told, I saw it twice last weekend.  The first night I read…read the playbill, read the translation from German to English, read about the performers, and the tribute to Eduardo Mata – a past DSO Maestro.  The music was beautiful, and the write-up gave it definition.  The second night…I sat back and watched…listening to the expression of this beautiful piece of poetry.

So why the obsession with Eternal Light, Candles in the Wind, and Resurrection?  Starting off tonight, I wasn’t sure why my most heart-warming music in the past week or so had to do with such heavy topics.  But here we are on Memorial Day Weekend and now it seems to make sense.

This weekend we celebrate those who’ve fallen in the line of duty…helping keep our borders protected, helping keep “the American Dream” alive, helping do what they set out to do…and some, unfortunately, didn’t necessarily do it at their own will.  None of these folks is any more or less noble than the other.  All fought to do what we, as a country, ask them to do…to keep us free to enjoy our freedoms…freedoms that include protesting the very wars they’re involved in, freedoms that include bad-mouthing those who serve in political office, freedoms that include not only the freedom to choose our religions, but the freedoms to exclude ourselves from the spiritual process altogether.  Wait a minute…did I lose anybody there?  There’s a great debate on what our forefathers intended when they sought asylum from an overbearing monarchy across the pond…but do you not think they’d be appalled at what they see today.  From a president who partied his way for 8 years, to a president who babbled his way through another 8 years, to a president whose only credit so far is a best-selling book he had the audacity to call a mantra of hope…is this what the great old US of A was setup to do?  I hardly think so.

My friends, I rarely tackle divisive issues without at least giving an inspiration of some sort…tonight it’s pretty simple.  This is not just a 3-day weekend.  It’s not about hot-dogs, parties, getting caught up on the yardwork, etc.  This is about understanding the difference between an eternal light and a candle in the wind.  Our country is in need of real leadership – and that is not a reference to politicians who all, in some sort or fashion, line their pockets with other peoples’ “interests”.  Nope….this one is about leadership of the sort that Martin Luther King, Jr.  spoke of…a quiet rebellion.  And to say what I’m about to say will likely come across as crass to some, but ask our current president about an audacity such as this.  Right now, our country needs YOUR leadership that can only be found on your knees before God…regularly.  I’m as guilty as any person I address.  I don’t pray enough.  I don’t meditate enough.  I catch myself in my own interests far too often.

Twenty years ago, there seemed to be this constant drumbeat that “Social Security isn’t going to be there for us when we retire!” My friends, I could care less about Social Security at this point…I hope we can all use Memorial Day 2010 to assure that our great United States survive LONGER THAN Social Security.

No politician will fix this country…not an Obama or a Bush, a Palin or a Biden, a Republican, Democrat, Tea Party member, or anything else.  Only the citizens can make this place great again…and that starts with every single one of you.  Let’s start tonight…get on your knees, get in the Word, get right with God, and get moving YOURSELF in the right direction.  It starts with me…it starts with you.

God bless America…and that means, God bless each and every one of you.
Tim