The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
I love music, particularly live shows. There’s something so special and powerful about getting to see an artist in person, sharing the gifts and skills they’ve been given, and seeing the emotion they bring to their craft. Feeling the bass physically pounding in my chest is one of my favorite experiences, and if it’s a really good show, it can feel other-worldly. I’ve even experienced naturally wanting to raise my hands at a secular concert toward the musicians, which from the outside can almost look like worshiping them. I think this is a perfect demonstration of how we are both body and soul, and our bodies reflect the inner stirrings of our heart and soul.
In today’s Mass readings, we hear all about joyful songs, singing, and praise. It’s as if God is speaking directly to those of us who love music: “He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals” (Zep 3:17-18). The readings don’t stop at simply delighting in music and song. They also give us the directive to go out and share what we’ve experienced and what we’ve been given with others: “among the nations make known His deeds, proclaim how exalted is His name” (Is 12:4). It seems so natural for me to share a new song I love with a friend, or tell my coworkers about the concert I attended over the weekend. This is a great reminder to also share with those same people I encounter about God and what He’s doing in my life.
This week, I challenge you to listen to some Christian music, whether it’s contemporary, praise and worship, or traditional hymns. This is a great way to praise the Lord as scripture talks about. Not to mention singing scripture through music helps us memorize it even more. I can still, unfortunately, recite every word to the Britney Spears songs I loved in elementary school. How much better it would be to have praises to the Lord stuck in our heads instead! “Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth” (Is 12:5). We don’t have to be good at singing or able to carry a tune. He made us and knows us intimately, so He doesn’t care how “good” at a skill we are—just that we’re spending time with Him, just how a good father would.
Catherine Huss is a clothing designer in San Diego, and spends her free time playing pickleball, writing, and chatting with a latte in hand. Her favorite conversations combine Jesus and the modern experiences of fashion, relationships, and pop culture. Follow her most recent adventure designing swimwear at siena-co.com.