Resonance
Resonance
When I got serious about playing the guitar in my thirties, I took two years of classical lessons (none of which I now remember), and a year of fretboard theory (little of which I’ve retained except perhaps the ability to play an ascending diminished minor chord—the music that’s always played to build tension in silent movies when the maiden is tied to the railroad tracks and the train is bearing down. So at least I’ve got that going for me, which, I’m not going to lie, is nice.).
My teacher, Dr. Lovelady (his real name), a banjo (no kidding) and guitar virtuoso, was old school and not only hated but forbade digital tuners. Believing it developed a, pardon the pun, “sounder ear”, he required students to always tune with an A440 tuning fork. I still have mine. Acoustic guitars have a kind of natural resonance with that note, and when you place the vibrating 440Hz fork against the soundboard and get the A string tuned to 440Hz exactly, it’s a genuinely beautiful and resonant thing.
Because I now use a digital tuner when I play, I haven’t thought about this for years. What brought it to mind now is something Jesus said in this week’s Gospel. Like a tuning fork, our heart—what we love—resonates so naturally with a good but potentially dangerous thing we handle in some form literally every day, that unless we fundamentally reorder our loves, wherever “it” is, our hearts cannot not follow.
This is of such vital importance for his disciples that the Gospels record Jesus talking more about this than any other single topic.
See you Sunday.
Steve+
Fall Small Groups—begin the week of October 2 for 8 weeks.
Sign-ups will begin Monday, September 19 and continue through Monday, September 26
Children’s Formation Volunteers:
We are in great need of once-a-month volunteers to help in children’s formation (the class that takes place Sundays during the sermon, Nicene Creed, and Prayers of the People). We need those who can teach our curriculum, and those who can simply help—our children’s safety protocols require at least two adults in each class. This is a great opportunity for couples to serve together. Contact Karissa (karissa.simmons@redeemerannapolis.org).
Second Sunday Sandwiches
Sunday, October 9 following worship.
October Vestry Meeting
Sunday, October 9 following Second Sunday Sandwiches.
Picture credit: Tormius on Unsplash