Who's making you shake?

There is a lot of new music out there and wanted to share another gem. Last week I heard a new song from the group, The Head and the Heart, which I was not that familiar with. The song is called Shake from their new album "Let's Be Still."   The group's name Head and Heart is Theology of the Body as we try and intertwine the two together, just like body and soul.  Sometimes I feel lazy with wasted time, knowing inside the soul needs a stir, so let the wind blow and make you shake.  Is Jesus making you shake?  Here are some of the lyrics which rang true with me. Have a listen.

"But the wind, yes the wind keeṗs howling

Even if it was a mistake, I can’t forget your face
Even if it was just a day, you won’t forget the one who’s making you shake"

"Kinda lost my way you see
Even if it was just a day, you won’t forget the man who’s making you shake
Kinda lost my way you see
Who’s making you shake, you shake
Ah, making you shake
You shake
Ah, making you shake"

Natasha Paremski and Theology of the Body

I had the opportunity to see the Colorado Symphony and Natasha Paremski perform in Denver last weekend.  We had orchestra level seats, meaning we were 5 rows from the stage. At first we thought, wow, this is too close, but it gave us a perspective to really "see" the musicians; their face and body language coming alive to the music.  It was a wonderful experience to listen to the music and even more so to see the expressions coming from the musicians.

When we quote JP2 and the thesis for TOB, "The body, in fact, and only the body, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. It has been created to transfer into the visible reality of the world the mystery hidden from eternity in God, and thus to be a sign of it" 

Natasha Paremski. Photo credit: Andrea Joynt

 
Music is a wonderful example on how the body is expressing the soul and the "invisible"
When you watched Natasha perform on the piano you could see the intense emotions coming from her body. My 16 year old son remarked, "Dad, it looks like she is having seizure," as her intensity marked the music. Her body was expressing her soul as one, and not two separate pieces as our culture tends to vision.  Other times during the concert, Natasha does not even look at the keyboard and she appears to  not even be in this world. This vision was not only from the pianist, but from the rest of the orchestra and the conductor himself as you can see the soul at work through the body. If you have never seen a symphony or see Natasha Paremski perform, I highly recommend the experience. It doesn't even have to be classical music but I 'm sure anyone who has been to a rock concert or other artistic venue can see Theology of the Body in work.


10/22/2013...Update note:  Upon further reflection, I found the pendulum swinging widely during this concert as part of me still was dragged down by lust as my eyes did indeed gaze to other parts of her body. However, on the other end of the pendulum was the unique perspective that Theology of the Body offers as her body does indeed express her soul in her movements. All you need to do is click on the picture above and look into the eyes of her soul.

Theology of the Body, Prayer, and the Senses

A great article in using prayer through Christ's humanity, applied to the senses by Father William Serra. This article came out of the latest TOB Institute Newsletter which is particularly helpful for those struggling with lust and pornography. Within the article,  I really like the prayer for sight which goes like this;

"I look at you and you look at me. Your solitude and vulnerability moves me deeply. Allow me to accompany you with my eyes; though they are limited, weak and sinful, I want them to rest in you. Receive my gaze as a desire of seeing You in creation and in my relationships with others. I want your Eucharist, I want You to be my filter. I want to see everything and everyone with You and through You. Purify my sight, refine my eyes. I want to allow faith to cleanse and protect them from any attraction to the world. May my gaze be deep and profound so it transmits peace, love, serenity and joy.
When I look into your eyes I see heaven, I hear them speak of God the Father, they transform my heart and they exude tenderness. Gaze of God, Blessed eyes of Christ, purify my sight and set it always on you!"

http://www.tobinstitute.org/newsItem.asp?NewsID=95

New Album from Army of Me!

Brand new music from Vince Scheuerman and Army of Me is out. The new album is called Searching for You and is now streaming online at the link below.  I heard Vince at the Theology of the Body 1 class concert last January in Pennsylvania. Great music from the heart. Check him out.  I think the album is now available for purchase.

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/the-drop/searching-you

Facebook link below...

https://www.facebook.com/armyofmemusic

Previous songs from his album "Citizen" to check out;
"Better Run"
"Perfect"
"Rise"

"Not just Looking at, but Seeing Women"

In the spirit of Theology of the Body, here is a great article depicting a discussion between father and son about seeing women for who they are as human beings and not just their bodies. Great Stuff. Check out some of Nate Pyle's other commentaries on his blog.

http://natepyle.com/seeing-a-woman/