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Page 5 of 5 The second form of iconography I want to explore is music-not musicians as icons, as you may have heard, but music. Many of us listen to contemporary Christian music. The words of some of the songs, and the powerful, sometimes lovely tunes, often bring tears of repentance or joy to our eyes. These songs remind me of God’s love, Christ’s sacrifice, and the power of the Holy Spirit for transformation. Music with a holy message can bring us closer to God. Anyone who has ever spent any time listening to Bach’s music can understand why Bach himself said that God wrote this music. It is often said that Bach’s music is proof of God’s existence. But Bach is not the only composer whose music is this uplifting. Mozart’s religious music, Palestrina, Gregorian Chant, Hildegard of Bingen...all of this music is very effective in removing us from this world and bringing us before God in a sacred place. The music is an icon because it points us to God.
Finally, I want to mention icons in scripture, especially the Psalms. The Psalms have been used in worship services and in contemplative prayer since they were written. They were a key part of the Jewish worship service, and occupy the same place in Christian liturgical churches. Of course, all scripture can be prayed with, but the Psalms are particularly good for this because of their lack of story telling or teaching. They are so much about God and His relationship with humanity. They point directly to Him.
The first thing one notices about the Psalms is their real mix of themes...praise, repentance, vengeance seeking. How does all this become an icon, an image of God? Well, it has long been argued that the Psalms have a deeper, hidden meaning, a mystical sense known to the Author, who is God, and revealed to the reader during prayer. The contemplative seeks the mind and truth of God, God’s theology, and he seeks it in God’s word. Just a simple reading of Psalm 23 gives a good example of this “hidden” meaning. Surely, the psalmist is not talking about a real pasture and that he is a real sheep. It is figurative language. This spiritual understanding leads us to a mystical awareness of God within us. It reveals His nature.
I hope you now have a new appreciation for and understanding of icons, and that you have found some new tools for contemplation of God through words, music, and images. There is no right or wrong way to use these tools. Separately, together...it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that you escape the concerns of this life during your prayer time, and really focus on God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. The icons of holy words, holy images, and uplifting music all create an atmosphere conducive to pointing us to God and bringing us into His Divine Presence.
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