The season of Easter is in full swing at my parish. We’ve celebrated First Communion and Confirmation is approaching quickly. These two sacramental celebrations are always an exciting and busy times for a parish. This business, sadly, can create challenges for a stargazing priest. My schedule plus night skies filled with clouds have made opportunities to stargaze rare to say the least. Last night, a clear sky finally presented itself! I decided not to take out my telescope or camera. I just wanted to sit under the stars, rest and pray.
The weather where I live is transitioning to spring, bringing needed rains so the season can fully take bloom. There’s an odd commingling of odors wafting in the air. The sweet odors are of blooming trees and the grassy shoots of new growth. The other odor is the pungent aroma of old decay from leaves and branches that have hid under the snow all winter. These smells combined with the muddiness of thawed soil has never made spring my favorite season. Nevertheless, it is a season that also evokes hope and new life.
I found a bench in a local park where I could sit and just look at the stars while praying. It was so peaceful, allowing me the space to thank God for the all the blessings I’ve received. Yes, as I shared in my last post, these past few weeks have been difficult. Nevertheless, if there is one thing priesthood has taught me it is with every death comes new life. Every dark sky gives way to dawn. Every time of struggle is followed with a season of peace and joy.
As I was enjoying this time of prayer under the stars, a piece of music entered my thoughts. As someone who studied music, it’s common to have random musical thoughts throughout my day. This musical thought was far from random. A few years ago I was introduced to a beautiful musical setting of Sara Teasdale’s poem, “Stars.” The poem presents a simple reflection of a night of wonderment. Below is the poem and a musical setting of the work by Ēriks Ešenvalds, performed by Voces8. There is an eerie droning noise that accompanies the piece of music. This noise is a series of tuned wine glasses to depict the shimmer of the stars. It’s a simple piece that is quite immersive when combined with prayer. As this music assisted my prayer, so may it help you find peace today.
Stars – Sara Teasdale (1884-1933)
Alone in the night
On a dark hill
With pines around me
Spicy and still,
And a heaven full of stars
Over my head
White and topaz
And misty red;
Myriads with beating
Hearts of fire
The aeons
Cannot vex or tire;
Up the dome of heaven
Like a great hill
I watch them marching
Stately and still.
And I know that I
Am honored to be
Witness
Of so much majesty.
