March 17, 2020

Today's short break from the news: Old beauty, experienced afresh.

Friends,

Today’s short break from the news is a beautiful flash mob performance of Ode to Joy.

A few observations and favorite moments before you watch:

First, note the church bells, and the physical location of this flash-mob: as she has for centuries, the Church is almost hosting this beautiful cultural moment.

Next, consider what it is that attracts such a crowd?

Old beauty, experienced afresh.

It reminds me of how St. Augustine once described his own “late in life” conversion:

Late have I loved Thee, O Beauty so ancient and so new.

Finally, as a Priest and educator, it brings me such joy to catch glimpses of children taking off their headphones and climbing lamp posts to catch a better view of the performance.

Pause, and enjoy.

Flashmob Nürnberg 2014 - Ode an die Freude