On Making Music
Part II: What about Silence?
Life itself is full of music: the song of the bird, the rain on the roof, the wind in the trees, the chanting of the cricket. If we are to hear and appreciate the "music of life" we must cultivate a posture of silence, for silence too is music.
When we are calm, we realize in our quiet that even our own body is music: the pulse, the breathing, all beats and cadences. With "silent music" we are "in tune" with the harmony of the Creator, we are singing the hymn of the universe.
Our liturgies should make allowance for silent music; time should be allowed for the soul to talk and hear God. Music directors and priests must work together to pace the liturgy prayerfully, not with an eye on the clock, but with an ear to God.
While silent music can put us in touch with our God personally, sung prayer can bring us closer to God corporately. Both approaches are needed in the faith life of a mature Christian.
We, as Roman Catholics, have been encouraged for over twenty years to make song a part of our worship, and not without some success.
There is still much education to be done until all members of the assembly accept the responsibility of corporate worship defined by the Second Vatican Council.
"This Christmas, a beautiful gift that you could give to yourself would be to go on making music, singing and being a part of the Cosmic Song, even after the feast of Christmas is over and forgotten.
And then you would find that melody would decorate your life and music would surround your being. Music would awaken spring from her winter slumber and season the seeds you plant.
Music would be your shade in the heat of summer. Then, with the arrival of another Christmas, that holy feast would find you not only enjoying music, but being music."
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Back to Part I: The Sound of Heaven