Each week I search the best of the internet for sacred choral music that aligns with the Weekend's scripture readings and post several selections on our website at Choral Music Worth Hearing.
This Sunday is St Valentine's day. Naturally, one thinks of love. And how one shows it.
The Communion antiphon for this week indeed proclaims "God so loved the world that he gave his Only Begotten son." Makes me think about how we show love to each other. You've heard it often said, actions speak louder than words.
But if you've been paying attention to the gospels of late, Mark has spent the last three weeks showing us how Jesus showed he loved us - through word, touch and action. He commanded the demons to leave the man with an unclean spirit with his mere words: "Quiet! Come out of him!" He healed Simon's mother-in-law of her fever by approaching her, grasping her hand, and helping her up. Some touch! This week he is moved to act out of pity for the leper - stretching out his hand and touching him, adding the words "Be made clean." Quite the model.
Does Mass echo any of these love gestures? For sure, God's words are present in the readings. God's touch is present in the anointing of our heads with oils at Baptism, Confirmation, and Anointing of Sick. We feel the splash of holy water upon entry or at the Sprinkling Rites. Ashes on our foreheads. And in Jesus' action - to be made fully present before us in the bread and the wine - he chooses to become one with us each and every Mass.
Maybe we lean a bit too heavily on feeling love rather than on these other models: words, touch and action.
May the music of this weekend help your lips to proclaim in word and song your love for God.
May your acclamations at the Mass be full of conscious love.
And may you remember that he touches you deeply upon reception of the Eucharist.
I've chosen one of my favorite anthems which captures the communion antiphon perfectly: God So Loved the World.
Enjoy.