Both of our anthems today have the same sentiment. Our offertory is by Christopher Tye, an English Renaissance composer who not only served as music director at Ely Cathedral but was an adviser and musical instructor to King Edward VI. He later became a clergyman and ceased composing altogether. I believe his music to be some of the most endearing music of this period.

If we fast forward 500 years or so, we come to a composer named John Rutter, whose music is no stranger to St. Andrew’s. Last year we performed his Requiem if you recall. Rutter was active in the same area of England as Tye, and I believe his music has some of the same poignant and sweet qualities.

What strikes me in both pieces is how the composers deal with the text referring to “the face of the Lord.” I have a simplified view. At the heart of every human is a sweetie. Face to face, it’s hard to be mean; but behind a computer, you can be a monster. Looking into innocent eyes could soften the most hardened individual. In some, their sweetness is buried deeply below the surface. But the light of countenance wants to shine through. There is always a way to get to the suppleness of one’s inner core. The ego has holes, or at least tiny fault lines. Even the vilest people often have families or pets, or they love something about life. They have a soft spot. No one is a total villain, and to what extent we draw out their soft spot depends on our approach. The untamed cannot be made docile with heat, rage, and tension. You must get through with the nectar of your inner sweetness, the face of the Lord. A savage cannot resist its succulence.  

A wise owl was once asked, “How many licks does it take to get to the soft center of a Tootsie Pop?” A student study by Purdue University concluded that it took an average of 364 licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop using a “licking machine”, while it took an average of 252 licks when tried by 20 students. In humans, it’s variable.  

Innocent softness in every person is covered by a harsh, exterior coating called the ego. The ego can be kissed away, or it can take a licking by severe circumstances, embarrassment, loss, near-death experiences, or simply just a sudden, enlightening revelation. If you’re tough, life will tenderize you. How many “licks” does it take to get to the sweet center of a human? It depends on how thick and rough the exterior is. How many hugs does it take? How many poems does it take? How many puppies does it take? I find that when I get in touch with my softness, I become light, my countenance brightens, and the things of this world grow strangely dim. Your true power is meekness, which is often seen as weakness; but that truth is covered in our hard, outer shell.

An adorable pet could stop the suffering of loneliness. Sweet music can calm a vile person. A terminal diagnosis could do the same thing, but why wait for life to kick you like that? Wouldn’t it be best to get to the soft center before the suffering?

How many licks does it take to get to your sweet center? That depends on how willing you are to surrender and let your heart get cuddly. This beautiful music can melt the ego like a Hershey bar on a hot sidewalk. The softer you become, the more savory life is, and the closer you are to the face of God. What sweeter music is there? Soli Deo Gloria!