Prince died this week.  I must admit it hasn't really affected me like it has many of my friends, but he was most active in the 80s.  In the 80s I was in seminary, serving a 7 point parish, and having a baby.  But the grieving brings to mind the death of John Lennon, and Elvis, and many other musicians who have died.  I wonder why we grieve so for someone we never knew?  Part of it is that we are able to gather together in our grief.  Corporate grieving always seems more satisfying than singular grieving.  But our grieving for musicians seems much more profound than our grieving for other famous people.  I think the reason is that musicians touch our heart as no other does.  They sing our life experiences.  They sing of our loves, our lost loves, our hopes and dreams and fears.  Music touches us in a way that nothing else does, and those who bring it to us and involve us in it get inside our heads and hearts and engage our souls.  And so when they die they take a part of us with them.
We are told that when his friend Lazarus died Jesus wept.  And so we, too must not hide our grief.  It is an experience we need to feel, and even to share with one another.  So if the death of Prince, or Bowie, or anyone else affects you in a powerful way, go ahead and express that grief.  And celebrate that person's life, and all their music brought to yours.




God, who brings creativity to our lives, we thank you for the lives and talents of those who entertain us through their music.  We thank you for singers, instrumentalists, composers, and directors who cause our hearts to soar, who bring out the joy and sorrow and love and celebration we feel.  We thank you that they give of themselves to share what we might not even know we were feeling.  We pray that you will be with their families, friends, and other fans who are missing them, and that you will encourage us to be brave in sharing the talents and abilities you have given to each of us......Amen.