Here is the quote that I found during my study last week. This is from Ignatius of Antioch, one of the early church fathers, in his letter to the church in Ephesus around 108 ad.
"...you should form yourselves into a choir; so that in perfect harmony, and taking your pitch from God you may sing in true unison and with one voice, as strings of a harp, to the Father through Jesus Christ."
This really sums it up for me, so now, I don't have to wax eloquent for you.. I will see you Sunday.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Choir recording blog
Here is the web address for Sean's uploading of the music from rehearsals.
http://choir-clips.seanmiller.org
I hope this helps.
http://choir-clips.seanmiller.org
I hope this helps.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
What are you giving up for Lent?
Yep, I know it feels like we are just now recovering from Christmas and haven't had enough time to catch our breath! (as singers this is an important thing to do.) Well, Ash Wednesday is only 1 1/2 weeks away, which means we only have 8 more rehearsals for Holy Week and Easter. We have alot of work to accomplish, but I think we'll be able to handle it.
Last week at rehearsal, we were discussing how as worship leaders, we sometimes had to sacrifice our prayer life by not allowing ourselves to pray as deeply as we might prefer and might experience when we are sitting in the assembly. However, I want and need to make myself clear. This does not mean we can not be fully present and engaged in what we are doing as leaders of music. My goal is for you to really own the texts and lyrics of all of our musical selections, whether it be the Great Amen, the Dismissal of the Catechumenate, the Gospel Acclamation or the Psalm or the Anthem and engage fully in the text by being aware of what you are proclaiming as a community and more importantly as you are proclaiming the Gospel to the assembly, representing Christ among us.
Where am I going with this post? Well, let me tell you. As Catholics , (non-Catholics throughout the world do this as well,) we often take on the Lenten discipline of "giving up something" for Lent as a sacrifice. Too often our understanding of this is weak and we try to punish ourselves or deny us from pleasure during Lent. That's not what this is about.
The early Church Fathers (and mothers I'm sure) wanted us to take this opportunity during Lent (and before Vatican II Advent as well) to reflect on what is going on in our lives that is interfering in our spiritual journey and keeping us away from the Father. I hate to break this to you folks, but I can't think of a single way that chocolate keeps you from God. In fact, in my mind it is proof that God is a gracious and generous God. Look at the Psalms as evidence of this: "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord." Psalm 31
Seriously, consider an alternative form of this penance. Take on something that will help you deepen your relationship with God. Try spending 20 minutes in prayer. Consider joining a small church community. There are a number of retreat opportunities available to you in our parish and in the diocese that are really fine programs. Here's something that you can all do. I've done this a couple of times and it has really been profound. Take on the discipline of silence. Turn the radio off in the car when you are driving (except when listening to your Crucifixus cd), turning off the tv at home when we are using it as background noise. Try to "be still and know God." Try turning off your cell phone for 1 hour and use that time in meditation or with a loved one. That's why they invented voicemail.
I pray that your Lenten journey is rich and your Easter journey is even richer.
Where am I going with this post? Well, let me tell you. As Catholics , (non-Catholics throughout the world do this as well,) we often take on the Lenten discipline of "giving up something" for Lent as a sacrifice. Too often our understanding of this is weak and we try to punish ourselves or deny us from pleasure during Lent. That's not what this is about.
The early Church Fathers (and mothers I'm sure) wanted us to take this opportunity during Lent (and before Vatican II Advent as well) to reflect on what is going on in our lives that is interfering in our spiritual journey and keeping us away from the Father. I hate to break this to you folks, but I can't think of a single way that chocolate keeps you from God. In fact, in my mind it is proof that God is a gracious and generous God. Look at the Psalms as evidence of this: "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord." Psalm 31
Seriously, consider an alternative form of this penance. Take on something that will help you deepen your relationship with God. Try spending 20 minutes in prayer. Consider joining a small church community. There are a number of retreat opportunities available to you in our parish and in the diocese that are really fine programs. Here's something that you can all do. I've done this a couple of times and it has really been profound. Take on the discipline of silence. Turn the radio off in the car when you are driving (except when listening to your Crucifixus cd), turning off the tv at home when we are using it as background noise. Try to "be still and know God." Try turning off your cell phone for 1 hour and use that time in meditation or with a loved one. That's why they invented voicemail.
I pray that your Lenten journey is rich and your Easter journey is even richer.
Monday, February 9, 2009
How Can I Keep From Singing?
Thanks for such a great job Sunday....
1. There's a wideness in God's mercy, Like the wideness of the sea;
There's a kindness in His justice, Which is more than liberty.
2. There is no place where earth's sorrows Are more felt than up in Heaven;
There is no place where earth's failings Have such kindly judgment given.
3. There is welcome for the sinner, And more graces for the good;
There is mercy with the Savior; There is healing in His blood.
4. There is grace enough for thousands Of new worlds as great as this;
There is room for fresh creations In that upper home of bliss.
5. For the love of God is broader Than the measure of our mind;
And the heart of the Eternal Is most wonderfully kind.
6. There is plentiful redemption In the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members In the sorrows of the Head.
7. 'Tis not all we owe to Jesus; It is something more than all;
Greater good because of evil, Larger mercy through the fall.
8. If our love were but more simple, We should take Him at His word;
And our lives would be all sunshine In the sweetness of our Lord.
9. Souls of men! why will ye scatter Like a crowd of frightened sheep?
Foolish hearts! why will ye wander From a love so true and deep?
10. It is God: His love looks mighty, But is mightier than it seems;
'Tis our Father: and His fondness Goes far out beyond our dreams.
11. But we make His love too narrow By false limits of our own;
And we magnify His strictness With a zeal He will not own.
12. Was there ever kinder shepherd Half so gentle, half so sweet,
As the Savior who would have us Come and gather at His feet?
With text like this: I recall our Gathering Song and ask the question of you: "How can I keep from singing?" Thank you for living your faith through music. I know that I have had several people that have come up to me talking about how much your offering of music and praise means to them and how it really brings the Gospel home into their lifes. What a privilege we have and what a responsibility we carry, touching the lives of our people with the love of Christ through the gift of music.
I was deeply moved by how well you sang on Sunday. (I realize that I am biased on that setting of "There's a Wideness in God's Mercy", since I arranged the setting...) I really love the imagery of that text. I'm including the entire 12 stanzas of this great Catholic hymn text. (I will boldface the stanzas used in the anthem.) I hope you will spend some time reflecting on it and that your faith will deepen through it:
1. There's a wideness in God's mercy, Like the wideness of the sea;
There's a kindness in His justice, Which is more than liberty.
2. There is no place where earth's sorrows Are more felt than up in Heaven;
There is no place where earth's failings Have such kindly judgment given.
3. There is welcome for the sinner, And more graces for the good;
There is mercy with the Savior; There is healing in His blood.
4. There is grace enough for thousands Of new worlds as great as this;
There is room for fresh creations In that upper home of bliss.
5. For the love of God is broader Than the measure of our mind;
And the heart of the Eternal Is most wonderfully kind.
6. There is plentiful redemption In the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members In the sorrows of the Head.
7. 'Tis not all we owe to Jesus; It is something more than all;
Greater good because of evil, Larger mercy through the fall.
8. If our love were but more simple, We should take Him at His word;
And our lives would be all sunshine In the sweetness of our Lord.
9. Souls of men! why will ye scatter Like a crowd of frightened sheep?
Foolish hearts! why will ye wander From a love so true and deep?
10. It is God: His love looks mighty, But is mightier than it seems;
'Tis our Father: and His fondness Goes far out beyond our dreams.
11. But we make His love too narrow By false limits of our own;
And we magnify His strictness With a zeal He will not own.
12. Was there ever kinder shepherd Half so gentle, half so sweet,
As the Savior who would have us Come and gather at His feet?
With text like this: I recall our Gathering Song and ask the question of you: "How can I keep from singing?" Thank you for living your faith through music. I know that I have had several people that have come up to me talking about how much your offering of music and praise means to them and how it really brings the Gospel home into their lifes. What a privilege we have and what a responsibility we carry, touching the lives of our people with the love of Christ through the gift of music.
Thanks again and may God deeply and richly bless each of you.
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