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.
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