Now be patient, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains!  You too must be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming will be soon.  Do not make complaints against one another, brothers, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves; the Judge is already to be seen waiting at the gates.  For your example, brothers, in patiently putting up with persecution, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name…  –2 James 5:7-10

We enjoyed another performance by Mignarda, the Cleveland classical duo—singer and lute player, once again accompanied by a friend on cello and violin.  The theme of darkness (light) and melancholy was explored in the compositions of John Downland, a subject I found fascinating.  This particular song coalesced nicely with the second scriptural reading from today’s Mass.

Thou mightie God, that rightest every wrong,
Listen to patience in a dying song.
When Job had lost his Children, Lands, and goods,
Patience asswaged his excessive paine,
And when his sorrowes came as fast as flouds,
hope kept his hart, till comfort came againe.