Canto para después de la comunión

Ángel Parra's song "Canto para después de la comunión" is a poignant reflection on the disconnection and disunity among people despite sharing common religious rituals. The song opens with a powerful question: if we all partake in the same bread, why are we still divided? This line sets the tone for the entire song, highlighting the irony and sorrow of a world where shared spiritual practices fail to bring about true unity and love among people.

The lyrics further delve into the symbolic significance of wine, which is traditionally seen as a unifying element in Christian communion. However, Parra laments that instead of fostering love and togetherness, there is only disaffection and separation. This sentiment is echoed in the plea to Christ to descend and witness the 'black flock,' a metaphor for humanity's current state of coldness and division, which feels more severe than the harshest winter.

Parra also critiques the superficiality of some people's faith, pointing out how easy it is for some to believe they can buy their way into heaven with Sunday alms, while ignoring the suffering and injustice around them. The song's climax is a stark declaration that the world has become a living hell, with the sea devoid of waves and the dove, a symbol of peace, already killed. This powerful imagery underscores the depth of the crisis and the urgent need for genuine compassion and unity.

"Canto para después de la comunión" is a heartfelt call for introspection and a return to the true essence of faith, which should be about love, unity, and genuine concern for one another, rather than empty rituals and superficial gestures.