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October 5, 2008
The Theology of Cats
Last night we went to another concert at Pomona College. I wouldn't try to review it here other than to say that it maintained the high quality that we have come to expect of these events.
The whole evening was a coral performance by the Millennium Concert Singers, a Southern California based group. They sang a range of pieces from William Byrd, 1539/40-1623 to Tom Flaherty's 2004, "Shakespeare Sonnets." Somewhat to our surprise, we both most enjoyed Flaherty's work. It was the best of what is sometimes called "new music." But, one stanza from "Rejoice of the Lamb," Benjamin Britten's 1943 setting of Christopher Smart's 18th century poem Jubilate Agno, really struck me.
For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry. For he is a servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him. For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way. For this is done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness. For he knows that God is his Savior. For God has blessed him in a variety of his movements. For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest. For I am possessed of a cat, surpassing in beauty, from whom I take occasion to bless Almighty God.
While the music was beautiful, I think the lyrics of this piece are nonsense. But if I didn't also think that all theology is based on unsustainable premises, my own experience with cats would be confirming of faith. But that isn't true of every theologian.
By the way, the next stanza is devoted to the "valour" of the mouse. It also mentions the cat. Oh, how they worship! 
Posted by Duane Smith at October 5, 2008 10:17 AM | Read more on Religion |
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Comments
This Britten is among my favorites - I have sung it countless times - the Flower Song, the tenor solo was mine many of these performances when I was not as wobbly as I am today. The best of the theology is - "I am under the same accusation as my Saviour - for they said 'he is besides himself'" and immediately "the watchman strikes me with his staff" - showing CS knew his Song well and has identified the crucial aspect - not so for 'the fishers of meaning'.
Hear this pun too - For H is aspirate for H is a spirit... H was to be my letter and word for the children this morning - but I needed to be smitten with a lesson in patience first - maybe it will move me to a story some day ...
Blessings
Posted by: Bob MacDonald at October 5, 2008 1:17 PM
Hi Bob,
Very good to hear from you. Michael Lichtenauer, who sings with the Los Angeles Master Chorale as well as the Millennium Concert Singers and who has a two Grammys for his albums Colors of Love and Sir John Tavener's Lamentations and Praises, sang your part Saturday evening. You can rest assured that he stood in for you in a creditable way and did nothing to diminish the part. But I would have liked to hear you do it when you were less "wobbly."
Posted by: Duane at October 5, 2008 4:34 PM
Duane - maybe we will travel back in time and I will have the honour to touch up the holograph a bit before you listen! Tonight and last night I was feasted with two performances of Fretwork - one a Bach medley with much emphasis on the art of the fugue, and today a full Gibbons evensong including the great second service and the verse anthem "See, See the Word is incarnate" where Diana sang the opening second alto solo - such a rich texture in our tradition - O that more would take the time to learn it well.
Posted by: Bob MacDonald at October 5, 2008 6:02 PM
In that paragraph you are citing, if you replace every mention of cat with malaria parasite (or any other parasite), it will still make perfect sense and you will have a parasite that "is a servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him".
Posted by: Aydin at October 6, 2008 6:37 AM
Aydin,
You are, of course, correct. And while this fact may seem a negative to you and me, I have the feeling that Christopher Smart would have accepted it without so much as a blink.
Posted by: Duane at October 6, 2008 7:08 AM
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