BUSINESS IN THE TEMPLE - Bach: Cantata 154, at Epiphany I

Commentary No. 27 of The Bach Cantatas

The Pauline epistle of the day is concerned with the sacrifice of mortality to the afterlife. The gospel relates of Christ’s tarrying in the temple in Jerusalem, going about His Father’s business.

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Bach’s librettist uses the sojourn of Jesus in the temple as a jumping off point for our need to find Him. This is not uncommon, but, still, dexterous, Lutheran moralizing, not to mention instruction. And, when He is found, our troubles vanish. As long as the heart holds Him near and dear.