Music has a mysterious way of lifting our spirits in ways that we do not fully understand. In my whole lifetime, I do not believe I have ever met anyone who did not like music. Whether it be songs or hymns, music can often move us and help us get through our day.
I was recently working on a project while listening to a lecture by Sensus Fidelium, and at the end of their video a hymn was sung in Latin. With all of the shelter-in-place going on in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis unfolding around us, I believe the hymn of these heavenly voices I heard had a deeper impact on me than I could have expected.
A song is a thing of joy; more profoundly, it is a thing of love. – St. Augustine
I noticed the hymn kind of put my spirit back in tune with an energy I was blessed to experience while I was discerning for priesthood in seminary at St. Meinrad. I kept a daily journal while I was there, and this excerpt may help to provide testimony.
SATURDAY AUG 22, 2009 4:36 PM –
I’m not exactly a medium, but it’s as if I can feel a river of positive energy in the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel where we pray and celebrate Mass, especially when we all sing together. I can’t really describe it other than it feels powerful, and at a very deep level…it’s good.
It was just my second day there. I did not exactly know what a medium was back then. Mystic probably would have been a better word for description. Did I feel the current of the Holy Spirit flowing in the Upper Room of the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel? Yes I did, and it was overwhelming.
Just as two rushing rivers intermingle in such a way that the smaller loses its name and is absorbed into the larger, so the divine Spirit acts upon the soul and absorbs it. – St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi
With flashbacks of grace filled days on the Hill of St. Meinrad I have been inspired to learn what the New Testament has to say about the joy of singing, music, and praise.
The rosary gives testimony that the feeling of joy is blended with God’s Providence working in our lives. The rosary includes the five Joyful Mysteries of the Gospels:
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Nativity
- The Presentation
- The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Consider the 2nd Joyful Mystery, the Visitation, where the Blessed Virgin Mary and her relative, Elizabeth, most likely prayed and sang the psalms in the house of Zechariah.
Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. Luke 1:56
I am not saying this is exactly right, but this is what I learned the New Testament says about singing. There are three (3) key Greek words: hymneo, ado, and aineo.
- hymneo – to sing the praise of, sing hymns to (paschal hymns).
- ado – to the praise of anyone, to sing.
- aineo – to praise, extol, to sing praises in honor to God.
In this post we will just focus on the four (4) scripture verses that contain the word hymneo. We will read over each verse and reflect on some commentary. Here we go!
Scripture Reading: The Lord’s Supper
Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Matthew 26:30
Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Mark 14:26
The night before his victory on the cross, Jesus and his disciples were singing one of the Hallel Psalms. Hallel psalms are psalms that give praise to God.
After singing a hymn: Ps 114–118, thanksgiving songs concluding the Passover meal. Source: USCCB
Jesus told his disciples at the Last Supper He would have to suffer greatly and die, but he ended his discussion with them at the table on a positive note. Jesus gave his disciples assurance death would not have the final say.
I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.” Matthew 26:29
Covid-19 will not have the final say.
Quarantine and social distancing will not have the final say.
Death will not have the final say.
A new day will dawn.
There will be a messianic banquet of endless praise with God in heaven that will far surpass any afflictions or sufferings we may have to endure here on earth.
Your reward for the right use of the things of this world will be everlasting glory, a crown of righteousness, and the kingdom of heaven; God will welcome you, the angels will praise you, all men who have existed since the world began will call you blessed. – St. Basil the Great
We can experience the rays of Christ’s life-giving light found in this hope we yearn for by singing psalms of praise together in the Church’s liturgy. This tradition of singing Hallel Psalms dates all the way back to the ancient days of the Old Testament.
The Passover Liturgy included the singing of various Hallel Psalms. Normally Psalms 113-114 were sung before the main meal, while Psalms 115-118 were sung afterward. Source: Ignatius New Testament Catholic Study Bible (INTCSB)
Scripture Reading: Deliverance from Prison.
About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened, Acts 16:25
The prisoners were not the only ones who were listening to Paul and Silas praying and singing. Up in heaven, God and his angels were listening too.
there was suddenly such a severe earthquake that the foundations of the jail shook; all the doors flew open, and the chains of all were pulled loose. Acts 16:26
In the scripture passage the jailer and even his family experience a profound conversion in Christ. Just as Paul and Silas had faith to sing psalms to God at the midnight hour so too does the jailer have faith to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved.” Acts 16:31
The faith of the jailer is a faith that embraces Jesus as Lord and Savior and leads directly to Baptism (Acts 16:33 ; Mark 16:16). Source: INTCSB
Just as the sun is the source of our light and life here on earth, so too Jesus is the source of our spiritual light and life within us. Our deepest joy is found in Him.
To rest in the Lord and to see his joy is like a banquet, and full of gladness and tranquility. – St. Ambrose
Reflecting on the mysteries of the rosary again, yes, there are Sorrowful Mysteries, and we all experience them in our own way, but there are also Joyful, Luminous and Glorious Mysteries. This is the good news of Gospel, and it may help to explain why we can sing and listen to music with a sense of joy and gratitude in our hearts to God.
Scripture Reading: Exaltation through Abasement.
He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers,” saying: “I will proclaim your name to my brothers, in the midst of the assembly I will praise you”; Hebrews 2:11-12
Another word for abasement is humiliation. Exaltation means to be lifted up or the elevation of a person as to the status of deification (status of God).
This is exactly what Jesus did for us, his brother and sisters, at the altar of the cross.
And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” John 12:32
Jesus consecrates or sanctifies us by lowering himself down from heaven to be with us, even to the point of suffering and being lifted up on the cross. Jesus died a horrific death for each of us on the cross. Jesus willingly did this to make us a holy people set apart for his own to one day be with him before the presence of the heavenly Father.
Through Christ we have gained access to the Father, for as Christ himself says, no one comes to the Father except through him. – St. Cyril of Alexandria
The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 22, the psalm that Jesus himself prayed while he hung on the cross for us. It is interesting to note, the psalm starts off as a lament (a cry of sorrow), but halfway through the psalm it turns gracefully into a psalm of praise.
Psalm 22 is interpreted so as to make Jesus the singer of this lament, which ends with joyful praise of the Lord in the assembly of “brothers.” Source: USCCB
Think about what Jesus told Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at his resurrection.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Matthew 28:10
We are Jesus brothers and sisters. Let us be his family members as best as God’s grace will allow us to be. Covid-19 does not have the final say. Neither does sheltering in place or sickness or death. Jesus has the final say, both in our lives and in this world.
And in His Passion Jesus sings to us from the cross we will one day be united with Him.
I will offer praise in the great assembly; my vows I will fulfill before those who fear him. The poor will eat their fill; those who seek the LORD will offer praise. May your hearts enjoy life forever!” Psalms 22:26-27
In closing, it seems fitting to share this Church hymn with you, Lift High the Cross. Hopefully, we will all get to reunite again soon and praise God. God Bless!
The house of God is the Church, his marvelous dwelling place, filled with joyful voices giving thanks and praise, filled with all the sounds of festive celebration. – St. Jerome