“There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before YHWH
– but YHWH was not in the wind;
after the wind, an earthquake – but YHWH was not in the earthquake;
after the earthquake, fire – but YHWH was not in the fire;
after the fire, A Gentle Sound.

When Elijah heard this he hid his face.”

– 1 Kings 19:11 -13

I was totally unprepared for this. I was taken off guard.

This is a choral work in which every participant recorded themselves individually, alone, singing only their part alone in their room with the video direction of the conductor: 17,572 people from 129 countries from around the world. And each one of them sent their submission to the composer/conductor, Eric Whitacre, whose team listened to every single one and edited them together to produce what you see and hear. There are women and men, of every ethnicity. Some of them are challenged physically, and some of them sing by using sign-language. Imagine each of us alone, largely isolated due to these difficult times feeling alone, and if we are honest, lonely. Then we scroll through Facebook or watch the news and see the rise of hatred and divisive attitudes and behavior run rampant, evoking a sense of hopelessness.

And then there is this. I admit that when I first heard this I cried. Each of those humans has a story. Every one of them is separated and alone. They are divided not just by quarantine, but by geography and fabricated lines of injustice.

The next time you feel alone or lonely, the next time you watch the news and feel angry and helpless, sit in a quiet place, breathe, meditate a little, put on some headphones or earbuds, then watch and listen.

Let this be our prayer today.

The whole thing is only 3 minutes 16 seconds. The rest of the video is giving credit to each of the participants.  

“May we sing together –
always.
May our voice be soft
May our singing be music for others,
And may it keep others aloft.
Sing.
Sing
gently
always.
Sing.
Sing
as one.
May we stand together, always.
May our voice be strong.
May we hear the singing, always.
And may we always sing along.
Sing!
Sing
gently
always.
Sing
Sing
As one.
Sing gently as one.”