A Musical Temple
Błażej MATUSIAK OP
John Paul II Institute, Faculty of Philosophy, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland , PolandAbstract
Church music may be conceived of in Boethian terms, as reflecting the proportions inherent in sacred architecture. Sacred music par excellence is the Psalms, sung by way of recurrent recitation with elements of ecclesiastical rhetoric, drama and imagery. Psalms occasionally astonish us by their ability to ‘migrate’ between various languages and religious traditions. The meaning of sacred music is preaching the Paschal mystery. Metaphorically, one might say that music itself is a temple created by sounds and having a cross ground-plan.
