One of my favorite Latin meditations, is the fairly well known Ubi Caritas …

“Ubi Caritas et Amor, Deus ibi est”…
(“Where Charity/Caring and Love is, Divinity is there”)

To me that says it all! While the nature of God or Divinity is rather hard to ever fully describe and certainly can be said to comprise more than Caring and Love – these elements are surely the most powerful and precious, the most sacred and the most transformational. This is the central view and emphasis of Christianity, and I think is validated by or central to most other belief systems as well.

My family and I recently attended a wonderful ecumenical gathering (United Church, Catholic, Anglican, Baptist & Presbyterian) on a Sunday evening in a nearby park. The event involved the singing of a number of selections from the renowned and broadly respected Taizé retreat community in France. One of these was a beautiful rendering of the Ubi Caritas words to music. I cannot find that version on YouTube (though there are other versions with different music for the same words.) It was amazing though, WAY better than any other version I’ve heard. This version was composed by J. Berthier and is available through GIA publications. (Guitar cords are shown as well).

I like the Taizé practice of using simple short Latin sung phrases (with the simple translated words available!) Now, not many people are too versed in Latin. Even so, because of the shortness and simplicity (and the translation), the Latin in this case is very easy and enabling.

There is something enchanting about the use of just a little Latin. J.K. Rowlings added just enough Latin nuances into her writing of the Harry Potter series to really provide us with an engaging sense of “the magic” of her creativity and that which transcends or illuminates what would otherwise be very hum-drum or “everyday”.

Indeed, use of this beautiful ancient language creates a bridge or, to use a phrase which Marcus Borg quite likes, a “thin space” – a place where we pause and break away from everyday life and language and step into a sacred space – a place where we can feel more fully a meditative connection to the Spirit.

(I do check that thinking against very valid concerns expressed by some gentle critics like Canada's Gretta Vosper and others, who point out that Borg sometimes too easily promotes blind acceptance/continuation of liturgical elements that are not truly thin spaces – in the sense that they are too exclusive in nature or reflect theological notions that do not resonate for many, or are unhelpful today, or even grate – effectively causing people to tune out. That kind of space would be a “thick space”, indeed. Fortunately, personally, I don’t find that to be a problem with this particular selection. As I said above, I don’t believe any barriers are created here because the words are so simple and the English is also provided. I think use of this Taizé prayer is very, very effective. That was my experience of it anyway.)

The focus that comes through sometimes saying or concentrating on a short “mantra” or verse rather than sputtering out a ton of chatter has been recognized by many faith traditions.

I like the Latin phrase also because it emphasizes Caring and Love as central to the presence of Divinity in our world and lives. (This is the focus of the Taizé community). It is derived from ancient sacred writings of the church, and is very consistent with both ancient and very contemporary theological thinking which puts less emphasis on perhaps less accurate or helpful “far off god” type imagery and more emphasis on the role of the Spirit so permeated by Divine Love - active in our world and, yes, at the ground of our very being.

As people sang this song and reflected on the words, a real warmth could be felt in the group. This moved out into the time spent together afterwards as people related to each other in a way that conveyed great care and connection.

I LOVED it!