If you twist and turn away.
It you tear yourself in two again.
If I could, yes I would
If I could, I would let it go.
Surrender, dislocate.
If I could throw this lifeless life-line to the wind.
Leave this heart of clay, see you walk, walk away
Into the night, and through the rain
Into the half light and through the flame.
If I could, through myself, set your spirit free
I’d lead your heart away, see you break, break away
Into the light and to the day.
To let it go and so to find away.
To let it go and so find away.
I’m wide awake.
I’m wide awake, wide awake.
I’m not sleeping.
If I could, you know I would
If I could, I would let it go.
This desperation, dislocation
Separation, condemnation
Revelation, in temptation
Isolation, desolation
Let it go and so to find a way
To let it go and so to find a way. –U2, “Bad”
These are the words to a U2 song used in an U2charist service we hosted a few years back at the First Congregational Church in Natick. I was on the planning committee. The music used in the service was all from the rock band U2 and the money collected went to worthy causes in South America and Africa. I was so intrigued to learn that Bono has hidden messages in his music. When you sing the songs where the lyrics are on the wall, you can see clearly that Bono has a spiritual message.
At the initial meeting for the service in Natick there was talk of using a live band. One of the pastors said we have to use Bad. He said it with such passion, and I thought, “I am not familiar with that song.” So I purchased the CD and listened. Jesus was clearly having a conversation with someone. Who was he talking to? I listened to the song over and over but nothing came to me. I hoped at the next meeting it might get disclosed. The music and the order of worship were outlined but no clues were given about the song. By the next meeting I was determined to figure it out. This is like when you read the bible and cannot figure out who is talking or what is going on. No mention of the dialogue.
At the last meeting I found out we had indeed a band and two singers for Bad. Jason shared who would be Jesus and who would sing Pontius Pilate. I was determined to figure out this conversation but I never came close to the answer of Pontius Pilate.
At that service, during that song I witnessed a sacred conversation. It was so powerful I can hear it as I write this today. This is one interpretation of the song, with the image of Jesus singing to the one person who could have set him free. I know if Jesus were having this conversation with me I would need to let go of struggling to figure things out on my own. All I had to do was ask for help in quest of identifying the other half of the conversation.
What is Jesus saying to you in this song? –Janet Sanders
God, when we can’t figure it out, remind us to ask for help. Amen.