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Views from the Choir Loft

Sacrificing Ourselves

Fr. David Friel · April 28, 2013

EOPLE LIKE NEW STUFF. It’s true, isn’t it? We like that new car smell. We like the feel of brand new bed sheets. We like to be the first person to dip a knife into a fresh jar of peanut butter. People like new stuff.

I’m the youngest of four, so, growing up, I rarely had anything that was new. We were used car people—garage sale people. The toys I had were toys my brother had used. Virtually all my clothes were hand-me-downs. Even the books I had for school were books my brother and sisters had used first. So, when I did get something that was new, I appreciated it all the more.

Newness is a theme in Scripture, particularly the new Testament. In the Book of Revelation, the Lamb seated upon the throne declares: “Behold, I make all things new.” What a promise! In the Gospels, Jesus announces that He will give us a “new Commandment.” What do you think the Apostles thought of that? I imagine they were excited, since, after all, most people like new stuff.

So, what is this “new Commandment”? It is this: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. What’s so new about that? Doesn’t the Old Testament teach us to “love our neighbor as ourself”? It does, indeed, but that is something very different. The new Commandment of Jesus is not to love other people in the same way we love ourselves. The new Commandment is to love other people in the same way Jesus loves us. “Love one another as I have loved you.”

That’s much more serious, because how does Jesus love us? He gave Himself up to death for us. On the Cross, He showed that He actually loves us more than He loves Himself. What do you think the Apostles thought about this “new Commandment” now?

This is the great model for us. There is no other way. Jesus, Himself, is our Way, and so every Christian must offer the gift of our very selves—our hearts, our minds, our lives. Sacrificing ourselves: this is what Jesus means when He commands us to “love one another.”

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and teaches liturgy at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    “Glory To God” • (For Choir + Congregation)
    I wish to thank everyone for the nice comments I received vis-à-vis my Glory To God setting for Choir & Congregation. A gentleman with a musical doctorate from Indiana University wrote: “Love this setting so much. And I will pray, as you asked, for your return to composition more fully. You are very very good.” A female choir director wrote: “I love your harmonizations, your musicality, and the wonderful interplay you have with dissonance and consonance in your music. So fun to listen to, and great for intellect, heart, and soul!” A young woman from California wrote: “Thank you for releasing your new Glory To God in honor of Saint Noel Chabanel. I'm enjoying reading through the various parts and listening to your recordings.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    William Byrd • “Mass for Five Voices”
    Our volunteer choir is learning the “Sanctus” from William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices. You can hear a short excerpt (recorded last Sunday) but please ignore the sound of babies crying: Mp3 recording. We still have work to do—but we’re on the right track. Once we have some of the tuning issues fixed, I desire to use it as an example proving volunteers can sing complicated polyphony.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Baptism” • A Unique Hymn
    Father Christopher Phillips is the founding Pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church. One of his hymns is unique and (in my humble opinion) quite beautiful. His hymn is basically a prayer to the Holy Trinity but also speaks of Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. It would be an ideal Communion hymn on Trinity Sunday or the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. You can hear live recording from last Sunday by clicking here.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“I have a great quarrel on with Dom Mocquereau over a very stiff book of his which we have translated & which a stupid American woman wants to be adapted to her understanding & terminology. It will be a little difficult to persuade the dear old man, for the lady is going to pay the piper. Truly money is at the root of all evils!”

— Dame Laurentia (talking about Justine Ward)

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