How we can receive more from the Mass - 5

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, have you ever wondered at which point the father forgave the son who had offended him in every possible way?  Was it when he threw the extravagant party?  Or when he ran out to embrace his son?  Or when he first saw his son returning to the family home?

For me, it was long before that. 

We are told that the father saw his son while he was still a long way from home – he was scanning the horizon, yearning for the return of his beloved, if wayward, son.  Would he be doing that had he not already forgiven his son?  But it wasn’t until his son returned and fulfilled the other necessary conditions for reconciliation (contrition, confession and penance) that the joy of the reconciliation – symbolised by the lavish celebrations – could commence.  The son was burdened by the weight of guilt at his offence.  That burden was lifted by the reconciliation with his father, and the joy of the father's love could then be celebrated.  

The transition from the Penitential Act to the Gloria can appear abrupt.  But maybe the Parable of the Prodigal Son can shine a light on this link between the Penitential Act and the Gloria.

The burden of our sin weighs us down in so many ways.  Not least, is that we struggle to rejoice in the goodness of our Lord.  (Just think how, when we have hurt someone we love, it can be so difficult to even look them in the eye.)  In the Penitential Act we open ourselves to the mercy of the Eternal; “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.”  Then we are sufficiently unburdened to praise our merciful God in this ancient and glorious hymn of praise.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Not "either/or" but "both/and"....

Although of less importance than other elements of the Mass, the reality is that the first thing that most parishes will consider when preparing music for a Mass is the hymns to be sung – the oft-derided "hymn sandwich".  Building up a repertoire of hymns, rather than just singing the same old-same old, is good and healthy on so many levels – for both the music group and the Assembly.   The learning-curve for our Vigil Mass congregation, the Music Group and myself has been very steep over the last 4+ years. There is no great secret but, for what it’s worth, here is how I work. The first criterion for me, as much as possible, is that the hymns we use are relevant to the season and/or “theme” of the Mass.   Unless you have an encyclopaedic mind then you need some help here and I use two sources; the suggestions at the back of the hymnal and suggestions provided within the pages of “Music and Liturgy” – the periodical produced by the Society of St Gregory.   I note down
Read more

Gospel Acclamation

Image
I have said  previously that I don't like Gospel Acclamations and Responsorial Psalms to be too lively - rapidly switching between exuberant singing and attentive, "heart"-listening doesn't come easily to me.  However, after some years I began to feel that the standard, triple-Alleluia was in need of some......enhancement; and, after getting an idea from watching a Papal Mass on TV, we began to make use of a short fanfare to introduce the Gospel Acclamation. Two flautists play this simple fanfare (the top line is the melody, the bottom line is a harmony that I came up with), then the cantor sings unaccompanied followed by choir and congregation (with the harmony); the cantor then sings the verse and all repeat the Alleluia (again, with harmony). It's a simple embellishment but it does to serve to highlight the Gospel Acclamation a little more. As well as this we have also been introducing Gospel Acclamation tones from John Ainslie's  Sing the Psalms Si
Read more

Don't forget to nurture your own faith.

Some time back, was I was talking to a former colleague who was also an organist in an Anglican church.  He told me that he was aware that a great many of his fellow church musicians ceased to go to church once they retired from their leadership roles in liturgical music. Now, there are some differences between Church of England and Catholic organists, chiefly being that they are generally paid.  As such, I suspect that there is a greater risk that what you do becomes more of a job than a ministry.  However, there is a similar risk for all those within the music and liturgy ministries, indeed all ministries that make demands on your time and energy. There is a great deal of sacrifice in being involved with such ministries.  There is, of course, the time and effort in taken in preparation, in practice and rehearsals.  During the liturgy itself, Holy Mass or otherwise, we can never fully immerse ourselves as we always have to keep one eye on what we are doing next, making sure that w
Read more