Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The farm in the Vosges
Ana is telling me of the criticism Brandell heard from the Church. “It isn’t the Pagan root the Church authority was concerned about.” She tells me. “It was the Jewish root. They told Brandell his creative whims are the devil’s work because his newest song put a Jewish grandpapa in a favorable light.”
Oh, now I understand, this is not about some poorly worded phrase in a little song for a Pagan celebration; this is a very deep and personal criticism of our own heritage.
I ask Ana, “So he made up a song about a Jewish grandpapa?”
“Apparently, he thought of it and imagined your father dining with Jesus, as a message for the peasants to celebrate that God loves all people. Brandell was thinking you, especially, would like his song. But the Church authority said you, especially, would be angry with him for it. That was the hardest part of the criticism for Brandell to hear. That’s why it is you who needs to talk with him.”
He is still sitting here alone with his harp and sorrowful discord is dripping from his fingertips. The music is morose.
“Brandell, your mother said you have a new song and it is very popular with the commoners.”
He puts his harp aside when he sees me waiting to hear his song.
“Papa, I have to tell you what I’ve done. It seems to be a sin. The Brother who teaches Doctrine at Luxeuil said the devil is using my songs to set hellfires on earth.”
“That is a terrible thing for him to say.”
“But it might be true, Papa. And I have to atone for it. I have to tell you what I’ve done and please, believe me, I meant no harm by it.”
“What is it, Brandell?”
“The song the people like and the Church has banned is about my grandpapa.”
“By ‘grandpapa’ do you mean any grandpapa, or particularly yours?”
“The one that is named in the bible ‘Simon the leper.’ In the song I said he was a ‘Pharisee, fine’. And that he was an ‘obedient Jew.’ The Church authority thought I was making a Jew sound like a good thing to be, and also that I was promoting that Lazarus rumor about you, Papa, and he said that you would be angry when you heard my song. I didn’t mean to say anything wrong, Papa. I just hope you aren’t angry with me?”
(Continues Tuesday, January 16, 2024)
Lazarus Ink 