Feel Better
Greetings again, brethren, in the name of Clapton, Santana, and Bo Diddley. Although my last message to you expressed the intent behind my sermonizing, it may yet be unclear as to why I always begin my sermons thus. The reason behind this is simple: every sermon begins in the name of the Church of Rock and Roll's Holy Trinity, the three greatest voices of that particular branch of song. And it is not coincidence that every single one of them had great and deep respect fot the Blues, which is the one true foundation of Rock and Roll.
These past few days, I have seen around me, both from electronic messages and from friends at hand, a great sense of illness. A friend of mine in Florida is suffering severe nausea. Another friend of mine in Chicago is very clearly overworked, and overstressed. A friend of mine here at the University has been suffering great fatigue the past week. I myself have just recovered a bout with allergies.
But this is not the worst of the illnesses that afflict us. There is also illness of the heart, and of the soul. Very recently another friend of mine has expressed that she just can't seem to take anymore. And I, too, have recently seen and heard things that give me cause to doubt whether I truly follow a righteous path. But just as more formal religions have their texts which can be applied to all situations, thus also is there a song for all occasions in the Church of Rock and Roll.
With that in mind, I would like now to read a hymn given to us by Santana himself, Hope You're Feeling Better.
[ahem]
Is that you
Your eyes slowly fading?
Is that you
Your mind full of tears?
Is that you
Searching for a good time?
Is that you
Waitin’ for all these years?
And I hope you’re feelin’ better,
Yes I hope you’re feelin’ good,
Yes I hope you’re feelin’ better.
Is that you?
Look across the ocean
Is that you
Thinkin nothin’ is really there?
Is that you
Waiting for the sunshine?
Is that you
When all you see is glare?
And I hope you’re feelin’ better,
Yes I hope you’re feelin’ good,
Yes I hope you’re feelin’ better.
Is that you
Who never saw your baby?
Is that you
Who never had a friend?
Is that you
Movin’ to a new town?
Is that you
Will di’monds replace your friends?
And I hope you’re feelin’ better,
Yes I hope you’re feelin’ good,
Yes I hope you’re feelin’ better.
While the nature of this song inclines more toward emotional and spiritual healing, I think it can be correctly applied to physical healing as well. The first set of questions, with mention of tears and fading eyes, brings to mind the reactions to grief. It is a very common problem today, as there are many truly frightening issues surrounding us in the world and in the news.
The second set, with reference to thinking nothing is there and being blinded by sunlight and confusion, gives more the sense of spiritual suffering. In a time where spiritual leaders on all sides call for assassinations and put prices on other men's heads, it is truly hard to find the love of God for all children.
The third and final set, which speaks of never having any friends and moving to a new town, could refer either to one who feels unloved, or who feels extreme isolation. Both cases are equally valid. In a world as large as ours, where the sight of lovers or couples together is most commonplace, it is easy for some to feel rather left out. A friend of mine once referred to Valentine's Day as a time when the single people feel as though they're walking through the rain, and suddenly they see a nice, warm house with a prty inside. And they aren't invited. As for the isolationist side, it is likewise very easy to feel ignored in such a large world. When people find themselves often ignored, it is very easy to hold more love and faith in things than for those around them.
But, for all these instances, for all these differing individual problems, there is still the same response: it is hoped that you feel better, and that things will turn right in the end. This is my message, my prayer for you. I hope that you are all well, and that all your endeavors are both noble and fruitful. And as I end this sermon, remember to carry this message to others around you. Let them know that you care, and that you care deeply. A simple "hello" is not always enough.
These past few days, I have seen around me, both from electronic messages and from friends at hand, a great sense of illness. A friend of mine in Florida is suffering severe nausea. Another friend of mine in Chicago is very clearly overworked, and overstressed. A friend of mine here at the University has been suffering great fatigue the past week. I myself have just recovered a bout with allergies.
But this is not the worst of the illnesses that afflict us. There is also illness of the heart, and of the soul. Very recently another friend of mine has expressed that she just can't seem to take anymore. And I, too, have recently seen and heard things that give me cause to doubt whether I truly follow a righteous path. But just as more formal religions have their texts which can be applied to all situations, thus also is there a song for all occasions in the Church of Rock and Roll.
With that in mind, I would like now to read a hymn given to us by Santana himself, Hope You're Feeling Better.
[ahem]
Is that you
Your eyes slowly fading?
Is that you
Your mind full of tears?
Is that you
Searching for a good time?
Is that you
Waitin’ for all these years?
And I hope you’re feelin’ better,
Yes I hope you’re feelin’ good,
Yes I hope you’re feelin’ better.
Is that you?
Look across the ocean
Is that you
Thinkin nothin’ is really there?
Is that you
Waiting for the sunshine?
Is that you
When all you see is glare?
And I hope you’re feelin’ better,
Yes I hope you’re feelin’ good,
Yes I hope you’re feelin’ better.
Is that you
Who never saw your baby?
Is that you
Who never had a friend?
Is that you
Movin’ to a new town?
Is that you
Will di’monds replace your friends?
And I hope you’re feelin’ better,
Yes I hope you’re feelin’ good,
Yes I hope you’re feelin’ better.
While the nature of this song inclines more toward emotional and spiritual healing, I think it can be correctly applied to physical healing as well. The first set of questions, with mention of tears and fading eyes, brings to mind the reactions to grief. It is a very common problem today, as there are many truly frightening issues surrounding us in the world and in the news.
The second set, with reference to thinking nothing is there and being blinded by sunlight and confusion, gives more the sense of spiritual suffering. In a time where spiritual leaders on all sides call for assassinations and put prices on other men's heads, it is truly hard to find the love of God for all children.
The third and final set, which speaks of never having any friends and moving to a new town, could refer either to one who feels unloved, or who feels extreme isolation. Both cases are equally valid. In a world as large as ours, where the sight of lovers or couples together is most commonplace, it is easy for some to feel rather left out. A friend of mine once referred to Valentine's Day as a time when the single people feel as though they're walking through the rain, and suddenly they see a nice, warm house with a prty inside. And they aren't invited. As for the isolationist side, it is likewise very easy to feel ignored in such a large world. When people find themselves often ignored, it is very easy to hold more love and faith in things than for those around them.
But, for all these instances, for all these differing individual problems, there is still the same response: it is hoped that you feel better, and that things will turn right in the end. This is my message, my prayer for you. I hope that you are all well, and that all your endeavors are both noble and fruitful. And as I end this sermon, remember to carry this message to others around you. Let them know that you care, and that you care deeply. A simple "hello" is not always enough.