This is Maria Callas. She was a scandalous star of her period. But she has the ability to sing Gounod.

This is a young Charlotte Church. She’s not singing Gounod, but she is tune, and handle this kind of music.

And this is about the best thing I could find on New Zealand’s version of the X factor.

I do not think the reason I find most very modern bands artificial. To make the point, this is Natalie Imbrigula, singing “Torn” live.

I prefer the times when Callas was a pop star, and Church would have moved into Opera.

Well, after Amos yesterday, I had a choice, Either the letter in Revelations to the Ephesians — the one which both notes that we have lost our first love, or this passage. I chose this passage for a couple of reasons, one being the inherent hypocrisy of anyone who comments.

Including me. For we all do not what we preach: but most of us are aware of this.

Matthew 23:1-12

¹Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ²“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; ³therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. ⁴They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. ⁵They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. ⁶They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, ⁷and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. ⁸But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. ⁹And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father — the one in heaven. ¹⁰Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. ¹¹The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹²All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

What Christ is talking about is seeking status. The Pharisees, if you like, were acting like religious playaz, dressing in religious bling so they looked more righteous, but neglecting to practice of charity and care, nor helping those in trouble.

The broken, the poor, the untidy have not part in this kind of church: they do not fit into the assembly of the holy. This is the error the Anabaptists such as Mennon fell into: to the point that these groups (ironically, in their wish to “dress plain”) wear a particular costume and stand out as much as the Hasidic Jews.

On first love, and losing it: well, it is a flaw of the reformed. For we tend to forget our faith and get caught in the controversies of the day. But I was moved to recall just how revolutionary the gospel was a traditional event last night.

The Messiah was being played. Handel knew his bible and “could chuse [the passages] myself]. His presentation (and this was the 150th Annual performance of this — using authentic techniques this time) drove home, reminded me just what a precious gift Christ gave us, how much courage our forefathers had, and how they were not squeamish about such things as death and salvation. We have all lost our first love.

And in these fallen times, being hyper religious, with bling, better have a concern for the broken attached to it.

UPDATE:
This was linked from the City Choir of Dunedin Flash Mob… more Messiah.