The Wonderful Works
of Christ Jesus

This hour-long collection of
readings and incidental music
gives a lively and inspiring sense of
the compassion of Christ Jesus.

Length: 1 hour
Issued: September 9, 2014
Publisher: Vocal Works
Price: $12 (+ $2.50 postage to US addresses)

To listen to a 7-minute sample, click here.

Click here to place an order.

Music selections (played by Tom Barr):

• Adagio Molto, A. Guilmant

• A Rose Breaks Into Bloom, Michael Praetorius (harmonized by J. Brahms)

• Andante, A. Guilmant

• Nocturne from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, F. Mendelssohn

• Adagio, Franz Liszt

• Elevation, Saint-Saens

• Evening Hymn, J. Rheinberger

• Andante, F. Mendelssohn

• A Dream, G. Fauré

• Elevation, A. Guilmant

• Prelude in G, E.F. Rimbault

• Faith, F. Mendelssohn

• Aria, F. Mendelssohn

Is there any end to the inspiration that we can receive from the words and works of Christ Jesus?  For most of you who will listen to this recording, the Gospel narratives according to the King James Version of the Bible will have been a lifelong companion.  Yet we continue to read and ponder them for daily guidance and spiritual growth.  And sometimes new light comes from a written commentary or a reading by another seeker.  That is my hope for this recording:  that with the help of this special format, you may ponder and discover some new insight into the deeper meaning of Jesus’ actions and words, why he spoke and acted as he did, and what he is telling his followers here and now.

This compilation does not include every single action of Jesus as narrated in the canonical Gospels or the Pauline letters.  The emphasis here is on his healing works, as well as on some of his other “miracles.”  Judgment (hopefully inspired judgment) was required to select among many possible passages, and particularly to choose among different accounts of the same incident.  Also, there has been no attempt to put these passages in a strict chronological order:  surely their individual importance transcends chronology.

We do not follow the Christ through a bed of roses, but rather through taking up our own cross.  And yet he has said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt 11:28-30).  Time and again, we all find ourselves in need of that Christly “rest.”  So, considering that a full recognition of Jesus’ teachings would include the significant demands he places on his followers, I will reserve those for another collection.  The intent of these present readings is to emphasize the Master’s transcendent compassion.

 — Dick Frantzreb