Without practice that action of sacrifice would not be a beautiful thing for God to witness – like music on a piano – after a bit of practice…
My children play the piano. When I was a little girl, I also learned to play the piano and this meant that as I grew older, I always felt that it was essential to learn to play the way that I had learned to play. This is not because I am a great musician – I am actually a terrible musician. Rather, it is because the discipline of learning a musical instrument was very very good for me and (more than that) I find pleasure now in clumping away on a piano from time to time.
When I was a little girl, I sort of went on strike and told my parents that I did not wish to learn to play the piano because it is quite challenging to learn a new instrument and I really did not want to have to bother myself with that. And when I did that my parents made a deal with me. They would allow me to learn to sing if I would agree to continue learning the piano. At the time I was willing to continue on because I really wanted to have singing lessons and I enjoyed singing…
And when my own children began playing the piano they too thought it was a bit too hard and a bit too annoying. Their father, who does not play any musical instrument, could not really see any value in arguing with a child to teach them not only to play a musical instrument, but to practice it as well. From his perspective it was an unnecessary thing that would not bring them any necessary benefit and was a luxury they could live without. But I persisted in asking my children to play. And the reason for that was my feeling in my adulthood at knowing that I can play a musical instrument, albeit very badly, and that I can obtain great pleasure in doing that.
And I have been reflecting on the practice involved in learning a musical instrument. You see, for the first few months of learning a new piece, it sounds terrible. It is difficult and unrewarding and you might play the thing over and over and over again and still not have it sound very eloquent or very fluent. And yet – after great practice – things will change and you will be able to start to hear the makings of a beautiful melody and piece of music.
And this is sort of life a life of sacrifice and suffering. You see, suffering is not glamourous. Sacrifice is not glamorous. Instead, it is uncomfortable and takes a great deal of practice. And so, when we live a life that involves suffering it is an opportunity to continue to practice the virtue of sacrifice. And without practice that action of sacrifice would not be a beautiful thing for God to witness – like music on a piano – after a bit of practice…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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