Brother Guy Consolmagno, one of the Vatican’s official astronomers (betcha didn’t know the Vatican had astronomers, did ya?), was in Cork, Ireland the other day to give a lecture. While in town, he did a little sightseeing including such landmarks as…
… the shop where Rory Gallagher bought his iconic Fender Stratocaster guitar.
What, you thought he’d want to scope out nothing but the local churches?
Br. Consolmagno sounds like someone I’d love to hang out with. In addition to his official role as one debunking the myth of science and faith being anathema, although he grew up the son of an Irish-American mother and Italian-American father he is a child of the blues with Gallagher at the top of his guitar hero list. Seizing the opportunity provided as part of ministerial duties to visit the places graced by his hero? That’s coolness personified.
In the same manner of there being no conflict being science and faith, none exists between belief in along with love for Christ and love of the blues. If anything, knowing Jesus enhances knowing the blues. Every Christian who embraces the whole of the Gospel message understands their faith is not a supernatural vaccine inoculating them against the pain and suffering inherent in this world to all who walk upon its stage. It is accepted that there will be sorrow, loss and grief. The advantage of life in Christ in the temporal is knowing one is never alone when the hurting takes place. From the hurt comes wisdom and purification through fire. It also brings forth the ability to minister, for as I’ve oft said only those who have been through the fire can speak with authority to those still engulfed in flames. Healing happens when we allow our heart’s full cry to be heard. Hence love of the blues. God’s language; an expression of the soul.
While I don’t anticipate seeing Pope Benedict coming out to bless the crowd in St. Peter’s Square with a Strat slung over his shoulder calling out “rock and ROLL, babies!” anytime soon, it is good to know there’s at least one bluesman working at the Holy See. Given the company He kept when on this earth I rather suspect that if the music would have been present Jesus would have been far more likely to spend time at the local blues club than classical concert hall. Why not? After all, it was His language.
