The Greatest Symphony 最伟大的交响曲

[Dexu Xia]

We were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body.  1 Corinthians 12:13

When BBC Music Magazine asked one hundred fifty-one of the world’s leading conductors to list twenty of what they believed to be the greatest symphonies ever written, Beethoven’s Third, Eroica, came out on top. The work, whose title means “heroic,” was written during the turmoil of the French Revolution. But it also came out of Beethoven’s own struggle as he slowly lost his hearing. The music evokes extreme swings of emotion that express what it means to be human and alive while facing challenges. Through wild swings of happiness, sadness, and eventual triumph Beethoven’s Third Symphony is regarded as a timeless tribute to the human spirit.

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians deserves our attention for similar reasons. Through inspired words rather than musical scores, it rises in blessing (1:4–9), falls in the sadness of soul-crushing conflict (11:17–22), and rises again in the unison of gifted people working together for one another and for the glory of God (12:6­–7).

The difference is that here we see the triumph of our human spirit as a tribute to the Spirit of God. As Paul urges us to experience together the inexpressible love of Christ, he helps us see ourselves as called together by our Father, led by His Son, and inspired by His Spirit—not for noise, but for our contribution to the greatest symphony of all.

Where do you hear the dissonance of conflict in your own life? Where do you see the symphonic harmonies of love? 

Father, please enable me to see what I can be with others, with my eyes on Your Son, with reliance on Your Spirit, with a growing awareness of what You can do with a noisemaker like me. 

我们⋯⋯都从一位圣灵受洗，成了一个身体。—哥林多前书12章13节

英国广播公司音乐杂志曾邀请151位世界著名的指挥家，列出20首他们认为史上最伟大的交响曲，当中贝多芬的《第三号交响曲》（Eroica）名列榜首。这首标题为“英雄”的交响曲，是贝多芬在法国大革命动荡期间写的，那时他本身也深陷困境，因当时他正逐渐失去宝贵的听力。音乐唤起他强烈的情感，表达人们在生活中面对挑战时的情绪变化。透过快乐、悲伤和获得最终胜利的跌宕起伏，贝多芬的《第三号交响曲》被视为歌颂人类精神的不朽之作。

保罗写给哥林多信徒的第一封书信，也有类似的转折值得我们关注。保罗用的不是乐谱，而是上帝所默示的话语。他一开始就为信徒而满心喜乐地颂赞上帝（1章4-9节），随后因教会出现纷争而忧伤（11章17-22节），接着又喜乐地鼓励有恩赐的人，能为了荣神益人而同心服事（12章6-7节）。

贝多芬的乐曲赞扬人类的精神，但这里我们看到保罗将人们能高奏凯歌的原因都归功于圣灵。保罗敦促我们一同经历基督那无法言喻的慈爱时，也帮助我们看见自己与众人同蒙天父呼召，由圣子带领并受圣灵感动，这并不是要我们突显自己，而是为了让我们都有份于祂所谱写的这首最伟大的交响曲！

在你的生活中是否出现不和谐的声音、纷争或冲突？
在哪里能看到和谐的乐章，充满爱与接纳？

天父，帮助我看到与别人相处时该怎样做，
让我仰望圣子、倚靠圣灵，
并越发明白祢要如何使用像我这样的人。