Cat v Taize

Christian Hedonism a term I explored this morning on my way to church after reading a Palm Sunday devotion by John Piper, the Founder of Desiring God.

I am on the train heading for the Palm Sunday service at church. The Cat Empire flows into my ears via my headphones, with their catchy melodies and reflective storytelling, alternating with Taize meditations, repetitive melodies with mixed voices. To me these two groups of musicians represent two sides of the same coin - God's glory - joy.

I think it is amazing that a small community in France (Taize) with haunting, calming, centering stillness, and the foot tapping cultural clash of ska and latino rhythms (Cat), both bring me joy. I know they do through how my body responds to both: sensations of release, letting-go, relaxing into the rhythms, either through still ess or movement. My facial muscles loosen into a smile, my shoulders drop. I am leaving this last week behind me, a tough one work wise, yet God is thankfully more than that! 

May this Holy Week bring us closer to God's glory, so we may see how even stones cry out praise to God (Luke 19:40).