Brian Kapp, Guest Blogger, discusses Music in Our Liturgy and Faith

Sing With All Your Heart!

Today, November 22, is the feast day of St. Cecilia, the patroness of musicians. Concerts, recitals, festivals, prayer services, and masses have been held on this day for centuries, dating back to 1570 in Normandy. The celebration of God’s gift of music to us gives me an overwhelming sense of gratitude every day. This language of music gifts to us something that not many things do in this world… a chance to connect with our own feelings and faith, a chance to connect with others standing next to us, a chance to connect with our ancestors who sang the same songs and made the same music.

In a way, that is what we do in the Sacraments of Word and Eucharist every week at Mass. We partake in the reception of God’s Word and in the ‘Word Became Flesh.’ Our ancestors did the same thing… going back 2000 years!

One thing is different. We partake in Sacrament and make music in a different way than they did, from a different perspective. That is the gift of faith and of music. Every time we partake of Christ in the Mass and every time a song is sung or played, a new aspect appears. Each act of faith and each musical act is unique within itself. Just as in faith we are called to give everything we have, the language of music asks the same of us. Giving all we have at the Supper of the Lamb produces the healing presence of God’s Spirit in our lives.

Music, in many ways, offers a wonderful metaphor for the bigger picture of faith. I’ll end with a partial quote from the hymn text, His Eye Is on the Sparrow (text written by Civilla D. Martin):

“… I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free;
For his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.”
Happy Solemnity of Christ the King!

Brian Kapp is Director of Music and Liturgy at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mankato, MN. He studied keyboard performance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Liturgical Music at St. John's School of Theology-Seminary in Collegeville, MN. He has worked in music ministry in various capacities for the past 11 years.

Walking on Water

Matthew 14: 22-33

    The crowds had been large.  The group needed to travel to the other side of the lake to minister to the people in other towns.  They had a boat, so Jesus sent His men on ahead to be ready for the crowds who would be gathering there in the morning.  Jesus continued His ministry with the people and slowly sent them away.  Since Jesus was so tired when His children had gone to their homes, He went up on the mountain to pray.  He knew He would be refreshed when He began His journey to the other side of the lake.
   
As the Apostles continued on their journey across the lake, the winds began to blow.  Seasoned sailors, they made adjustments as they steered across the lake.  It was late into the night. 

"Peter," said Matthew, " Do you think he'll be there?" 

Peter replied, "The Master said that He would be there, and He will." 

"How is He getting there?"  John asked. 

"I don't know," said Peter, "But He will.  He promised.  The Master does not go back on His promises."

    The waves began to crash on the deck.  The Apostles were getting soaked as they tried to steer the boat in the storm.  The boat was taking on water.  "If the Master were here..." Thomas began.  Peter cut him off, "The Master is not here, so we have to steer the boat."  Peter was sounding angry.
   
    The men were working hard to stay afloat.  In the distance, they saw a light coming towards them.  "Peter," shouted Judas, "What is that?" 
   
    "How should I know!" shouted Peter.  He truly did not like Judas, but the Master had called Judas to walk with them.  "Steer the boat!  Steer the boat!" 
   
    The light grew brighter as it came closer to them.  They could make out the figure of a man in the light.  "It's a ghost!  It's a ghost!"  Great fear began to overtake them.  The men began to panic.  The waves seemed to be even higher than before.  "It's a ghost!"  Then they heard the Master's calm voice in the heart of the storm, "It is I."  He said it again, "It is I."

    Peter, soaked to the bone from the storm, shouted back to Jesus in the storm, "Master, if it is truly You, allow me to come to You."  Jesus, very calmly said, "Come."
Peter, shaking from cold and fear, looked at the other Apostles whose eyes were filled with fear.  He could not retreat now.  He even thought he felt someone push him towards the edge of the boat.  He stood on the edge and jumped into the water.  Peter fully expected to sink into the water, but he didn't.  He stayed on the water.  Filled with even more fear, Peter looked at the waves crashing into the boat.  He took one step forward towards the Master.  He took another step on the water.  He could hear the men into the boat gasp as he began to walk on the water.  The Master stood where He was holding a welcoming hand out to Peter.  Then Peter saw the waves.  They were bigger than he was, and he felt more fear than he had ever known before.  He took a step forward, but he began to sink into the black, murky water.

    "Lord," screamed Peter, "Save me!"

    The Master leaned forward and helped him up with His Hands.  "Oh, you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

    The Master and Peter got into the boat.  Immediately, the storm calmed.  The waves no longer broke over the boat.  The sea suddenly reflected the moon as if the sea were crystal.  In the distance, the sky was beginning to lighten.

    The men in the boat began to worship their King.

    "Truly," they exclaimed, "You are the Son of God!"