Halfway through his Letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul breaks into song. Or at least he starts quoting a hymn that was sung by the early church. I have to believe that the tune of that hymn was on his mind and in his heart, and maybe on his lips, as he wrote this part of the letter (Phil. 2:6-8).

The hymn Paul quotes refers to Jesus as one “who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death.”

It would be exciting to know what kind of tune was used for this theologically rich text; unfortunately, that is lost to history.

What’s worth remembering is that the faith of the church was sung before it was put into a formula or a formal statement. Christians gathered not only to listen to the words of a sermon or to reflect on the Bible or to pray, but also to lift their voices together, using words and music and rhythm in solidarity with one another and in praise of God. They used the mysterious power of music to express the mystery of faith.

Modern psychologists and therapists have discovered how deeply music is embedded in our bodies and minds. The regions of the brain that process music hold on to words and tunes long after other parts of the brain lose cognitive function. (And surely the tune in his head helped Paul remember the words of the hymn.)

One lesson here is that music is not an ornament to worship; music is a key part of it. Music draws our hearts, minds, and bodies into the mystery of God such that the mystery becomes part of who we are.

We’re blessed at Ascension to have musicians and faithful worshipers who together help bring this mystery alive for us all!

See you in church,

Pastor David