Last week, I had the joy of taking my family out for a frozen treat at the new sensation in town. One of the parishioners from Holy Trinity opened a new TCBY location, and after dinner I took the family on a field trip to visit the new store. As we were waiting in line to get our dessert, we walked past an amazing new vending machine called the Coke Freestyle. It will allow you to make virtually unlimited combinations of drinks. Someone at Coca Cola recognized that we are all different, and that the Coca Cola company could satisfy our desire for “Just the right beverage”. I applaud them in their innovation, and look forward to testing different concoctions until I find the one just right for me.
There is a great division in the church today who’s boundaries are defined by the style of music used in worship. The dividing line has been drawn across the two major categories (Traditional) and (Contemporary), or more specifically and truthfully, (Organ) and (Guitar), and the chasm between the two appears to be growing wider with each new season or liturgical celebration. The hostility that exists from one viewpoint towards other leaves little to no room for respect or Christian Charity. Judging one another and holding each other in contempt consume us in pride and eats away at the fruit of our ministry.
The United States Council of Catholic Bishops states in the 2007 document “Sing To The Lord” that with regard to the human voice “Of all the sounds of which human beings, created in the image and likeness of God, are capable, voice is the most privileged and fundamental. Musical instruments in the Liturgy are best understood as an extension of and support to the primary liturgical instrument, which is the human voice.”
Let’s move past the dividing line. Let us begin to affirm one another for the gifts that God has given to us, and get over our prejudice. One flavor of Coca Cola couldn’t possibly satisfy our palate, and one style of worship couldn’t possibly satisfy every Christian’s expression of love to God. We were all created uniquely by the giver of life. Let us return our voice to His with the song and gift that He created in us.
