Good Friday 2026

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Murillo, The Crucifixion, circa 1675.
Click to enlarge.

Fernando Ortega gives a deeply moving performance of the well-known hymn from Bach's St. Matthew Passion.

The Lessons Appointed for Use on

Good Friday

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Sunday Drive: Bach, Air on the G String

Like a prayer for peace -- as performed by Hauser.

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Sunday Drive: Bach, Air on the G String

As performed exquisitely by Hauser.

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Sunday Drive: Bach, Wachet Auf (Sleepers, Awake!), BWV 640

The Second Sunday of Advent

The wolf shall live with the lamb,

the leopard shall lie down with the kid,

the calf and the lion and the fatling together,

and a little child shall lead them.

Diane Bish, the grand dame of American organists, plays the 4th movement (chorale) of the lovely Bach cantata: 

My late husband Cody studied with this lady while he was in college; he admired her greatly.

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Sunday Drive: Bach, Sheep May Safely Graze

 

The lovely Bach tune, as performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. The painting shown in the video is the 1825 version of Constable's famous Salisbury Cathedral from the Bishop's Grounds.

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Sunday Drive: Bach, Air on the G String

Water Lilies - The Clouds, Monet, 1903

For my truckbuddies, five minutes of tranquil beauty - as performed by Hauser.

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Sunday Drive: Bach, Air on the G String

As performed by 2Cellos.

 

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Sunday Drive: Bach, Sheep May Safely Graze

The painting shown is the famous view of Salisbury Cathedral by John Constable, 1825. 

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Sunday Drive: Bach, Prelude in C Major

A poignant, hopeful melody for your Sunday dreaming:

Sunday Drive: Bach, Air on the G String

I think we all need something divine just now to lift our thoughts above the troubles and terrors of the present time. So I offer Bach's sublimely serene Air, as performed so nicely by the classical duo 2Cellos:

From the Great Litany:

We sinners do beseech thee to hear us, O Lord God; and that
it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church
Universal in the right way,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to illumine all bishops, priests, and
deacons, with true knowledge and understanding of thy
Word; and that both by their preaching and living, they may
set it forth, and show it accordingly,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to send forth laborers into thy
harvest, and to draw all mankind into thy kingdom,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give to all people increase of grace
to hear and receive thy Word, and to bring forth the fruits of
the Spirit,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such
as have erred, and are deceived,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give us a heart to love and fear
thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee so to rule the hearts of thy servants,
the President of the United States, and all others in authority,
that they may do justice, and love mercy, and walk in the ways of truth,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to make wars to cease in all the world;
to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord; and to
bestow freedom upon all peoples,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

Whoso readeth, let him understand.

Sunday Drive: Bach, Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor

Lovely sounds and lovely sights for all my truckbuddies as we begin this new year.

Readings for the Feast of the Epiphany

Sunday Drive: Bach, Air on the G String

The exquisite Bach tune, as performed by the duo 2Cellos:

Sunday Drive: Bach, Prelude and Fugue in C Major

Sunday Drive: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

As performed by classical guitarist Michael Marc:

Sunday Drive: Bach, Arioso from Cantata No. 156

Still feeling a bit queer and out of sorts?  Here, drink this.  It will do you good.

Sunday Drive: Bach, Air on the G String

I think we can all use a few moments of quiet reflection today, in the face of the momentous election. Here is Bach's great work of perfect tranquility, always a tonic for the soul, as performed by the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, the late Sir Neville Marriner conducting:

Sunday Drive: Bach, Air on the G String

Sunday Drive: Bach, Double Violin Concerto in D Minor

Sunday Drive: Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major

Performed by the Munich Bach Orchestra:

Sunday Drive: Bach, Where Sheep May Safely Graze