If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out
There's a gentleman in my parish, a nice guy and daily Mass-goer, who's almost completely tone-deaf. But man, does he love to belt it out: the processional and recessional hymns, the Gloria, the Sanctus, the Agnus Dei. He was there today, signing the O Salutaris Hostia, at the top of his lungs, totally off key.
I love it. He's singing, not because he's trying to impress the rest of the parish, nor because he loves to hear beautiful things, but because he's praising God and rejoicing in His presence. It doesn't matter that he sounds terrible. All of creation should rejoice in the Lord, even the tone-deaf. It's something the rest of us Catholics - who usually sing under our breath if at all - would do well to imitate.
When he's raised on the Last Day, I'm sure he'll be given a voice of silver. 'Til then, I'll relish his every ear-splitting note.
UPDATE: Originally posted the wrong St. Thomas-authored hymn. Changed 10/30/04.
I love it. He's singing, not because he's trying to impress the rest of the parish, nor because he loves to hear beautiful things, but because he's praising God and rejoicing in His presence. It doesn't matter that he sounds terrible. All of creation should rejoice in the Lord, even the tone-deaf. It's something the rest of us Catholics - who usually sing under our breath if at all - would do well to imitate.
When he's raised on the Last Day, I'm sure he'll be given a voice of silver. 'Til then, I'll relish his every ear-splitting note.
UPDATE: Originally posted the wrong St. Thomas-authored hymn. Changed 10/30/04.
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