Niemand leeft voor zichzelf = We live not for ourselves, 1967 - 1997

Pauline theology may be summed up in two words, kenosis - self-emptying, and plethora - fulfillment. Only by emptying ourselves can we be filled with the Risen Messiah. This is a recurrent theme, and it is constantly expressed in the many Pauline hymns, which include Though In The Form Of God (Son And Servant) and this current example, We Live Not For Ourselves. Paul preached a resurrection which was contingent on Jesus' suffering and total abandonment.

The Dutch Augustinian, Robert Adolfs, published two books on the theology of Paul, Het graaf van god - The Grave Of God: The Church and De kerk is anders - The Church Is Different. His underlying theme is that we need to change to become Church, and not remain as living museums or mausoleums on earth. He describes how the Gospels speak of two kinds of graves. One is beautiful and white on the outside, but on the inside is filled with putrefaction. The Pharisees, always so full of themselves, proclaimed a vision of God far different from that of the itinerant wisdom teacher whom the Apostles followed. On the other hand, the other has a stone rolled back was empty inside, the burial cloths neatly folded. This had belonged to one who had emptied himself to live not for himself but for others.

This brief text from Romans 14 tells us that our lives are never in vain and futile. A life fully lived is one that has been enriched by sharing with others. This fulfills the two great commandments, to love God and neighbor as much as we love ourselves. Furthermore, in Oosterhuis' theology, Jesus is embedded in each of us, having become part of the human condition. Scientists might refer to this as entanglement, of how we share with Jesus in responding to the cost of discipleship.

The song is appropriate for each of life's rites of passage, from celebrating birth to death. It is well suited for celebrating all three rites of Initiation (baptism, eucharist, confirmation), for the purification and enlightenment of Lent, for all occasions of discipleship, stewardship and commitment. To sing this at a funeral, we sing it for the one lying before us and for each of us gathered there.

The piece is scored in A major, but may be performed in A Flat. There are 4 sections, each of which may be sung several times. The first two sections have differing accompaniments, while the latter two, for a capella voices (with assemebly), add harmonies. Observe how the opening descending phrases are mirrored in the remaining in the ascending one. Modally, the Ionian category comes to mind.

Arjan van Baest of the Amsterdam Dominicuskerk recalls that the melody was written by Floris van der Putt, rector cantus of the Sint Jan Cathedral in 's-Hertogenbosch, for the funeral of Bishop Bekkers, a greatly-admired shepherd who was committed to the spirit of Vatican II. Huijbers wrote the accompaniments and made the choral arrangements. The current incumbant, Gerard de Korte, honors that tradition. - Tony Barr