You know what really Grinds My Gears?
When the cantor at Mass decides to change the Responsorial Psalm because the one that was selected for that given weekend isn't a complex song.
I mean, let's think about this. The Psalm is a very important part of Mass. The Vatican spent a long time selecting each and every Psalm so that it fits in with the theme of that week's readings; it is not merely an arbitrary choice. Yet the cantors seem to change it every week to one that shows off their vocal talents. They completely override the Church so that they can sing something and have the congregation go, "Oh wow, she can sing wonderfully."
The problem with this is that Mass is not a concert. I go to Mass to praise the Lord, not to listen to someone sing. When the same Psalm is sung over and over and over again simply because the cantor wants to show off, it makes me want to scream.
I don't know why my pastor hasn't addressed this with our musical department. I wonder if he would feel the same way if the Deacon opted to read a different Gospel reading than the one prescribed for the weekend. After all, one reading has already been sacrificed.
Don't get me wrong. Music has it's rightful place in the liturgy. I think that too much emphasis is being placed on it these days, though. And we're not helping by letting the music minister overrule the Vatican.
This has been "Grinds My Gears," I'm Peter Griffin...er, Taylor Martina. And now, I leave you with this Irish saying: "May you get to heaven a half an hour before the devil knows you're there."
Everybody sleep well and have fun!
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At my church, the music minister changes the psalm as well. Actually, it's usually a variation of the same ones all the time. In all honesty, I think there's about three that he switches around, but sometimes, he'll use a new one. However, that's very rare. In fact, I cannot remember any recent time where he's used the one in the missalette. tisk, tisk.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the fact that our churches should use the psalm that the Vatican has selected. I was honestly never bothered that much by it because it's what I'm accustomed to, which essentially is bad. I definitely think that this was an interesting point that you have brought up here.
I'll add as a random tidbit that everyone (for the most part) in my church still holds hands for the Our Father. According to what you told me, this holding hands is wrong because it's against Vatican II. So it seems to me that churches simply like to put there own spin on things still...
It's not against Vatican II. Pope John Paul II said not to do it because it serves no purpose at all.
ReplyDeletePeople say "Why shouldn't we do it? It shows untiy!"
Well, JPII argues that any symbol of unity is insignificant next to the Eucharist, which he says us the ultimate symbol of unity - unity in Christ.