“Their Works Follow Them”

On the floor of the Saint Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany, one can see a brass plate with the inscription “Johann Sebastian Bach,” marking the place where he was buried. It’s just a name, but a name that speaks for itself, evoking memories of the great composer and his amazing musical legacy. Remarkably, on July 28, two very influential Baroque-music icons passed away. The first was the Italian composer and violin virtuoso Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741), who died in Vienna, Austria, on July 28, 1741.

He created some five hundred concertos, including the famous The Four Seasons for violin and chamber orchestra.

The second icon to pass on July 28 was the German composer and musician Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750), who died in Leipzig, Germany, on July 28, 1750. Experts say that 1,128 pieces of music by Bach are available today, and many others have been lost. Can you imagine how many people have performed or enjoyed the works of these two composers? They died a long time ago, but “their works follow them.” You may never be as famous as Vivaldi or Bach, but your influence is perhaps more important than you realize. Consider this statement: “How little you know the bearing of your daily acts upon the history of others. You may think that what you do or say is of little consequence, when the most important results for good or evil are the consequence of our words and actions. The words and actions looked upon as so small and unimportant are links in the long chain of human events.” God takes into account “the influence exerted for good or for evil,” as well as “its far-reaching results.” If your name were to appear on a brass plate like the one I saw in the Saint Thomas Church, what do you think people would remember about you? What is your legacy? Whatever the extent of our influence might be, all of us are called to exercise a saving influence on those around us.

I hope that all those who follow in our footsteps will be led to the everlasting kingdom!