Friday, December 21, 2007

Do you hear what I hear?

As a singer, I'm particularly sensitive to matters involving my voice. Maybe that's why I noticed that in today's "Missa Aurea" (Golden Mass), the first reading and the Gospel both highlight the sound of a human voice.
In the first reading, from the Song of Songs, the beloved is told "Let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet and you are lovely." In the Gospel, Elizabeth tells Mary, "At the sound of your voice, the baby leapt for joy." That baby, of course, was John, who would later tell the crowds that he was like the best man at a wedding who "hears the groom's voice and rejoices at the sound." ("Wedding" language is typical of Christmas and of Christmas theology, by the way.)
I'm especially intrigued by the power of Mary's voice. She had been overshadowed by the Holy Spirit: did that make her voice a unique instrument of the Breath of God?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The ears with which you listen to scripture are so sensitive. They seem to be able to tune out the distraction and hear the depth of the message. I am just grateful that you share your insights with the rest of us mere mortals.

-your grateful choir director