This Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time the Psalm (#145) we sing is: “The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.” The First Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah tells us to “come to the water…come, receive grain and eat; Come, without paying and without cost…you shall eat well and delight in rich fare.” Saint Paul tells us today that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ—so what more is there that we need?
We come together as a Community to praise and thank God and to receive His Word and His Body and Blood. As Isaiah reminds us, why spend your money or wages for what fails to satisfy you? Remember, he says that “Here you shall delight in rich fare!” As I plan the music for the liturgies we celebrate together, I look for sacred songs, psalms and hymns that will allow you to go home humming/praying a piece of scripture—I do believe this is truly rich fare!
Dr. Elaine Rendler (a well-known liturgist) speaks of the responsibility of the pastoral (Church) musician and the importance of music in liturgical celebration through its ministerial function. She quotes the GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal) and the MCW (Music in Catholic Worship) on what the role of a pastoral musician is in a parish. We are: “to unify those gathered to worship; to support the assembly’s song; to highlight particular parts of the liturgical action; and to set the tone for the celebration.” We hope to dish up a rich fare of the Word in song because then we all singing together what we believe!
Today we hear in the Gospel of Matthew the familiar story of the miracle of the loaves and fishes (the only miracle of Jesus recounted in all four of the Gospels). We hear how five thousand (men) were fed¾Christ in His Word, and in a meal, met their needs and their hunger. This miracle is repeated every time we gather and celebrate Mass, as we participate fully and consciously in the Word and Eucharist.
There is always the opportunity to come to a deeper understanding of what our needs are, our real necessities—not our wants, desires or wishes—but our true priorities, our true needs. Both Plato and Thomas Aquinas said that an unexamined life is not worth living. So, we must examine our choices, asking God for guidance and support. The Psalm today says: “The eyes of all look to you with hope, you give them food in due season. You open your hand and fulfill the need of every living thing.” The need of every living thing will be answered. Wow! This is the every day miracle of faith, hope and love.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
We come together as a Community to praise and thank God and to receive His Word and His Body and Blood. As Isaiah reminds us, why spend your money or wages for what fails to satisfy you? Remember, he says that “Here you shall delight in rich fare!” As I plan the music for the liturgies we celebrate together, I look for sacred songs, psalms and hymns that will allow you to go home humming/praying a piece of scripture—I do believe this is truly rich fare!
Dr. Elaine Rendler (a well-known liturgist) speaks of the responsibility of the pastoral (Church) musician and the importance of music in liturgical celebration through its ministerial function. She quotes the GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal) and the MCW (Music in Catholic Worship) on what the role of a pastoral musician is in a parish. We are: “to unify those gathered to worship; to support the assembly’s song; to highlight particular parts of the liturgical action; and to set the tone for the celebration.” We hope to dish up a rich fare of the Word in song because then we all singing together what we believe!
Today we hear in the Gospel of Matthew the familiar story of the miracle of the loaves and fishes (the only miracle of Jesus recounted in all four of the Gospels). We hear how five thousand (men) were fed¾Christ in His Word, and in a meal, met their needs and their hunger. This miracle is repeated every time we gather and celebrate Mass, as we participate fully and consciously in the Word and Eucharist.
There is always the opportunity to come to a deeper understanding of what our needs are, our real necessities—not our wants, desires or wishes—but our true priorities, our true needs. Both Plato and Thomas Aquinas said that an unexamined life is not worth living. So, we must examine our choices, asking God for guidance and support. The Psalm today says: “The eyes of all look to you with hope, you give them food in due season. You open your hand and fulfill the need of every living thing.” The need of every living thing will be answered. Wow! This is the every day miracle of faith, hope and love.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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