I recently came across an online discussion that compared opera in America, which is largely privately funded (i.e. funded by its audience) and opera in Germany which is largely publicly (government) funded. The point was that opera in Germany seemed more free to criticize society and government while opera in America was viewed as more conservative. The conclusion drawn was that, freed from the constraints of pleasing its audience, German opera was more artistically creative.
But there is another conclusion that may be drawn. You can also say that opera in America serves a higher purpose by serving its community rather than the artist’s ego. The idea that an artist must be free to create whatever he wants without any restriction is a fairly new, modern idea. Art has traditionally served a community.
Most creative individuals will agree that they are paradoxically more creative when they are challenged to create within specific parameters or guidelines. Working within and for a community makes creative people more creative and more fulfilled.
Our gifts are given to us to serve our brothers and sisters and build up the Body of Christ. When we use our gifts in service to others, particularly when we collaborate with others, we are challenged to achieve things we would not be able to do otherwise. When we withhold our gifts or use them selfishly, the Body, the community, is diminished.
Artists must serve their community because like everyone else they have been given their gifts for exactly that reason. As a community we all support and encourage each other to develop those gifts to their highest degree.
Difficulties, hardships, sickness, and family troubles are realities of our existence. Yet we know instinctively that these troubles serve to make us strong. There is something in our nature that draws strength from adversity, as long as we know we are not going it alone.
When we know that we have companions and that we are fulfilling our role in God’s great plan of salvation, we can do amazing things, and ultimately we do not mind the pain or the suffering. Even our greatest fear, death, is perhaps not so much a fear of dying, as it is a fear of dying alone.
In the sacrament of the Eucharist, we not only receive nourishment for the journey but it is also God’s promise that He will be with us always.
Companionship is one of the greatest blessings we receive when we receive the precious Body and Blood.
We know that God does not step in to make everything right for us. Jesus told us that we would still have trials. But to help us bear these trials He offers us companionship, he offers to carry our problems with us.
Our God is a God of presence. He did not desert Elijah, He will not desert us, he is there to help bear the pain. Created in the image of the triune God we are a people of presence. Our role is to help our brothers and sisters along the journey, and God has given each of us gifts for this purpose.
This is true of all people, even the artists among us.
Pax Vobiscum
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time