Sensitivity
One thing that I try to keep to the front of my considerations when planning liturgy is to remember that the music must serve the Mass - the Mass is not there as a vehicle for the music. To this end it is so important that we understand the Mass more and more - through both study and prayerful participation - so that our music is sensitive to the ebb and flow of what is happening during the Mass.
Back in the day, when attending yoof Masses, the "Sign of Peace" was often followed by "Let there be peace shared among us". It was always sung enthusiastically but (and leaving aside the fact that there is no provision for this in the General Instruction to the Roman Missal) it was a rude interruption on what is a very solemn part of the Mass. It just doesn't fit! Immediately following this lively rendition we were expected to behold, in prayerful wonder, the Lamb of God in the Blessed Sacrament. As human beings we cannot go from such exuberance to such wondrous contemplation in rapid succession.
In the Mass settings that I have composed, I find that the hardest to "get right" is the Sanctus; it is a joyful acclamation, but if you make it too exuberant then the Eucharistic Prayer can feel a damp squib, an anti-climax.
Similarly in the Liturgy of the Word - where we listen attentively to the Word of God, opening our hearts and minds to what He has to say to us - it feels (to me) insensitive to have Responsorial Psalms and Gospel Acclamations that are too lively. The Psalm is a prayerful response to, and reflection on, what we have just heard in the First Reading; and, just as the Sanctus cannot be too vigorous, neither can the Gospel Acclamation and for the same reasons.
Now, in saying all this, I am aware that I am open to the accusation of cultural myopia. A very good friend of mine from the Caribbean often berates me for my western European-centric understanding of what is appropriate in the Liturgy; and she may indeed have a point. But that is for a whole new post.........probably several.
Back in the day, when attending yoof Masses, the "Sign of Peace" was often followed by "Let there be peace shared among us". It was always sung enthusiastically but (and leaving aside the fact that there is no provision for this in the General Instruction to the Roman Missal) it was a rude interruption on what is a very solemn part of the Mass. It just doesn't fit! Immediately following this lively rendition we were expected to behold, in prayerful wonder, the Lamb of God in the Blessed Sacrament. As human beings we cannot go from such exuberance to such wondrous contemplation in rapid succession.
In the Mass settings that I have composed, I find that the hardest to "get right" is the Sanctus; it is a joyful acclamation, but if you make it too exuberant then the Eucharistic Prayer can feel a damp squib, an anti-climax.
Similarly in the Liturgy of the Word - where we listen attentively to the Word of God, opening our hearts and minds to what He has to say to us - it feels (to me) insensitive to have Responsorial Psalms and Gospel Acclamations that are too lively. The Psalm is a prayerful response to, and reflection on, what we have just heard in the First Reading; and, just as the Sanctus cannot be too vigorous, neither can the Gospel Acclamation and for the same reasons.
Now, in saying all this, I am aware that I am open to the accusation of cultural myopia. A very good friend of mine from the Caribbean often berates me for my western European-centric understanding of what is appropriate in the Liturgy; and she may indeed have a point. But that is for a whole new post.........probably several.
Comments
Post a Comment