Our Gospel reading today about the prodigal son is a good reminder that (1) we are special among creation, uniquely made in such a way that the image of God is etched into our heart and soul and (2) sin decimates the dignity of our being and causes us to descend to the lower orders of creation who, wonderful as they might be, are not endowed with the image of the creator like us. So... what does that have to do with singing, as the title of this article suggests?
Well, you’ve probably noticed that there are a couple of parts of Mass on Sunday where I do not ‘say’ the words, but ‘sing’ the words (or, more technically, chant the words). Of course, this then ‘forces’ you to respond in kind. To be clear, this is not because I think I have some beautiful voice, or that I’m capitalizing on a captive (albeit obligated) audience. Rather, this is an option the Church provides that I take advantage of in order to remind us of our dignity as human beings.
Think about singing for a moment. What creatures can sing to God? Cats, dogs, cows, birds... they cannot sing to God. By singing, we separate ourselves rightly as unique from the rest of worldly creation. While true, there is another created being that can also sing to God... the angels! Thus, by lifting our voice in song, we separate ourselves from the lower order of creation and accompany the high courts of Heaven in singing to God. This, after all, is our rightful place, where we were created to be.
And so Holy Mother Church provides me, as deacon, the option to sing, and I do so in particular at two parts of the Mass:
Penitential Rite – During the Penitential Rite, I will typically sing the tropes and the kyrie eleison (“Lord have mercy... Christ have mercy..., etc.”) Here, at the beginning of Mass, we always start by recognizing we have fallen short of what we were created for. We are sinners. Like the prodigal son, after wishing our Father death by choosing sin, we look around and notice we have taken our place among the swine. Thus, before we can proceed we must rush back to the Father and ask not simply for forgiveness but mercy; not just pardon but to be taken back as His son/daughter. To be restored from lower creation to the courts of Heaven.
Gospel – At the precipice of the Gospel, we begin by rising to our feet as the Risen Lord’s presence intensifies as He comes in His Word. Thus, I begin by singing, “the Lord be with you...etc.” We again are reminded of our dignity... the Gospel happening for us unique creatures. So again, in song we separate ourselves from creation and meet God in His Word, that by His saving work we may allow God to transform us as He desires to do so and find ourselves like the prodigal son... clothed with the finest robes, rings on our hands, and sandals on our feet.
So, whenever we sing at Mass, we must be reminded that we are special among creation and rightly step up out of its lower forms and join the Heavenly assembly. This is why it is my personal preference to take the Church up on this option and lead you in song. Sin would have us descend as creatures, but cannot change the reality that we are created for greatness.
God bless you all, and be assured of my prayers, you holy ones of God.
In Christ, through Mary and Joseph,
Deacon Justin