During the midst of this pandemic, I was introduced to a song by Suzzy Roche and her daughter Lucy Wainwright Roche entitled, “I Can Still Hear You”. (To listen to the song, click here).

I don’t know what haunts me most, the beautiful harmony of mother and daughter, or that haunting call that claims, “I can still hear you…”

I Can Still Hear You

This song was written in the middle of the pandemic as everyone found themselves cut off from so many people. The story, as I understand it, comes from a moment that Lucy experienced in New York when, under lockdown, she began to hear the sounds of all of those around her in her apartment building. The voices and sounds of those below and above and how, while separate, reminded her that they still shared an existence together. The cry, "I can still hear you” is one of longing for community, a longing for connection, a longing to get past the barriers that kept them apart.

This song also reminds me of the many barriers that we encounter in our life together, as a communal people. The barriers that we encounter that bar us from the action of deep listening and understanding. The barriers of race, religion, politics, gender.  Have we so divided ourselves that we can’t truly hear one another?

Questions to Consider

As we continue through this season of Epiphany, I ask you these questions:

• What action can you take, today, that will help blur the lines of division that we have so neatly constructed around us? What will help you hear your neighbor more?
• What action can you take today to promote healing in relationship?
• I am eager to hear your thoughts.

Pastor Lauren Wrightsman