By Mathew Thankachen O.Praem. –
Music, the ‘Divine palpitation in man and nature,’ makes one believe that it is the superb and sublime proof that God is the author of creation. From the moment of creation and the Divine infusion of ‘Ruah’ (spirit), life begins its ‘rhythmic beat’ of divine ecstasy within – the heartbeat. Anthropologists are of the opinion that even before language came into existence, music was present. The Neanderthal, having found the ‘musical rhythm and tone’ in the nature around, began to ‘imitate’ and ‘harmonize’ the ‘vibration’ within their heart. Thus, the words ‘harmony and symphony’ became the ‘heart of the music’ and as such an instrument came to be known as Harmonium. As music is the external manifestation and celebration of ‘God-experience within and without’, leading to a ‘divine frenzy’, music became a great expression and medium of man to relate to God. Thus, we find, both in the pre-historic and historic period, music becomes ‘central to divine worship’. Temple chants and bhajans, Sufism, Church choir and other forms of music dedicated to the divine gained momentum.
The Church music takes its origin from the Jewish/Semitic religion of Israel. The whole Old Testament of Hebrew Bible is abound in musical influence. The Psalms are attributed to David; musicians and many modern musical instruments like strings and pipes, flute and tambourine are mentioned in the Psalms. It appears, even before ‘prose’ became a literal form, music dominated the field then. As a matter-of-fact, we find both the earlier prophets and the latter prophets employed ‘poetry’ in their writings. In the New Testament too, we find ‘Magnificat’ and’ ‘Benedictus’ in poetic forms, prevalent in the Jewish society.
The heart of the Catholic liturgy is its ‘celebration in music’ and hence, the contribution of Church in the field of music is beyond compare, which I do not intent to dig deep. The Second Vatican Council states, “The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 112). This led the council fathers to decree that the “treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care” (Ibid, 114).
In the beginning of the early Church, the Jewish Christians prayed by only singing – Psalms, which later in the Church, gave rise to ‘Office of hours’. St. Paul asks the Gentiles to praise God “by singing Psalms”. By 6th Century, Pope Gregory the Great brought about a renewal of liturgy and introduction of liturgical music known as ‘Gregorian Music’, which by 12th century the Norbertine (Premonstratensian Order) continued the ‘Gregorian reforms‘ of ‘Angelic music’ as the ‘liturgists’ of the Church that continued until the Second Vatican Council.
I write this brief note with a specific purpose. While all are created in the image and likeness of God with a soul capable of communicating with the creator, capable of humming to His tone and rhythm, they fail to actualize as singers and musicians. Even more, everyone enjoys music and today it is employed in the medical field too as technique of healing.
As music is art, it is the expression of the heart, a special talent that some are capable of absorbing, expressing and exploring. One may wonder, while some are uniquely gifted in this talent, others are not. Jesus said, “Happy are those pure in heart, they shall see God.” Hence, the purity of heart is indispensable for receptivity of musical vibration. In the life of a musician, one will find, even the slightest variation of a musical tone (note) from ‘flat’ to a ‘sharp’ or vice versa will be immediately sensed and noted while for an ordinary mortal, it may make no difference. It is the same case with the rhythm (timing). Such a hyper-sensitive act of the soul to imbue music is a special gift of God. In its’ ultimate analysis, music is stripped off all particularities of religion or customs. It is the pure experience and expression of God with a universal content of Divinity in humanity. Any negative emotions such as jealousy, hatred, egoism, backbiting and habits like consumption of alcohol and drugs may hamper this ‘receptivity’, hardening the heart. Hence, Psalms pray, “Remove the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh instead”. It is also interesting to note many artists and musicians prefer to lead a ‘sublime’ life, not to be perturbed by family chores. If the integrity of reason and passion gets affected, musicians, although by nature they are ‘most integrated personality’ and ‘tranquil in nature, could equally be “impulsive and irritable”.
I wish all on this day of ‘World Music Day’, that may our musicians realize how great the gift of the Lord has bestowed upon them and may they share lavishly to impart ‘God-experience’ in our worship and Liturgical celebration. As the proverb goes, “One time singing is better than ten times praying”.