It’s interesting, the divide that seems to exist here between Catholics & Protestants. Or rather, the divide between the more sedate denominations, eg. Catholics, certain Anglicans, and the more “evangelical” denominations.
I use the term “evangelical” to describe a style of worship; and certainly not to mean that other “non-evangelical” denominations do not/should not evangelise.
One camp speculates the going-ons of the “happy-clappy” camp; the other camp dismisses the former as being “Mary-worshippers”. Both sides are mistrustful of the other. Of course, both sides (say they) would like to be reconciled, but, when a Catholic goes to Christian Union (CU), or a CU-goer comes to Catholic Mass at the Chaplaincy, the larger crowd is suspicious. You do get the odd one, who is pleased that the no-man’s land has been crossed, nay, BRAVED by the “Christian one”/”ecumenical one”, depending on which way you look at it, but for the most part, I encounter comments like this one:
“Why do you like going to CU so much?”
‘cos for one, I am confident enough to know that attending a different style of worship is not going to alter my belief in the points of faith that keep me attending Mass & keep me “Catholic”, numero uno being my belief in the actual & permanent transformation of bread & wine into the Body & Blood of Christ in the hands of the priest during Mass.
And for another, simpler reason:
I love the music.
‘cos not everyone in Chaplaincy, where I go to Mass, has that appreciation for how much songs MEAN. And it frustrates me, that people don’t seem to realise how much songs are a part of Mass, how much they can enhance our experience of Mass, and worship in general.
I know that everyone is tuned differently, and different people respond in different ways to different things. Some hearts are quickened by sermons. Some imaginations are stirred by art, and beauty. Some minds are nourished by writing. Not everyone is, or has to be, moved by music.
BUT, I don’t believe that is an excuse for neglecting LYRICS. Lyrics are what makes a song Christian
- we could enter a discussion as to how there are songs without words which can be Christian, but I won’t, ‘cos let’s face it, then the song’s only Christian ‘cos YOU read it that way –
and St. Augustine’s “when you sing, you pray twice” isn’t just a cliché to guilt people into singing. It’s TRUE: These lyrics make it so easy for us to pray. These praises, supplications to God, have been written already. Even set to tune!
And in my case, sometimes said sung so much better than any attempt of mine to pray “from scratch”. Sometimes, they strike a chord with me, bring me crashing to a reality I should not have forgotten. Sometimes, they resonate with me, causing parts of my heart to hum in recognition.
So, to cut a passionate piece short, basically, I go to CU to get my worship-music fix. And, since music is more central to worship in other denominations, as far as I know, most of the songs I listen to are written by Christians of said other denominations. Matt Redman, Philips, Craig & Dean, just to name a few.
Which is why I was completely taken by surprise, and at the same time, delighted beyond belief to find out that my anthem for summer of ’07:
THE song, which sustained my faith during my break-up, THE song, that my friends & I jammed together for hours in the pink room, THE song, which has become the anthem for churches across the world. THE song, which I had played, thinking all this time that it was written by Chris Tomlin…
Was actually written by MATT MAHER.
Yep, Your Grace is Enough was written by a Catholic, people.
Despite the fact if you Google “Your Grace is Enough”, all the hits on the 1st AND 2nd page would be related to Chris Tomlin, not Matt Maher. But, let’s face it, would this song have gotten the attention it is due otherwise?
Matt Maher, man who wrote the Litany of Saints, performed at World Youth Day, Cologne, Germany. Man who managed to include the word “TRANSUBSTANTIATION” (count the number of syllables) in a Christian rock piece. No mean feat.
I love the fact that it is right now – precisely when I am becoming disillusioned with the Catholic music-scene, and wondering if it is only other Christians who have the monopoly on producing enduring & appealing worship-songs – that I find out that this man, a Catholic whose songs we use in Lifeteen Mass, and a Catholic whom I respect so much for being progressive, and going & doing work with other (non-Catholic) Christian artists… has written a song, which has been covered by his friend, Chris Tomlin,
- Can you imagine how cool it would be to say Chris Tomlin is my FRIEND? –
on his amazing Arriving album. And not just any song; this song. MY song. A brilliant, BEAUTIFUL song. I love it.
“Great is your faithfulness, O God of Jacob;
you wrestle with the sinner’s restless heart.
You lead me by still waters into mercy
where nothing can keep us apart
So, remember your people,
remember your children,
remember your promise, O God.
Great is your love and justice, God of Jacob;
you use the weak to lead the strong.
You lead us in the song of heaven’s victory
and all your people sing along.
For your grace is enough.
Yeah, your grace is enough.
Yeah, your grace is enough.
Yeah, your grace is enough for me.
For me.“
- Your Grace is Enough, Matt Maher.
Indeed, Your Grace is Enough for me, O God.
