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Views from the Choir Loft

Good Cop, Bad Cop

Richard J. Clark · September 26, 2014

N RECENT MONTHS, my young children have been obsessed with Legos and the movie. Like many shows or films made for children, they are designed to part a parent with their money; it’s all one big advertisement.

And it works. So recently, I’ve been roped into helping my children put together some rather intricate Lego designs that recreate scenes from the movie. With countless tiny pieces, it even tries the patience of an adult—at least it tried mine. I found myself strangely understanding why the dad in the movie—(a.k.a., “Lord Business”) wanted to use the “Kragle” on everything to keep all the millions of pieces in place.

Five-year-old boys are very rough with their toys. Now my son is playing with a toy comprised of hundreds of tiny, delicate pieces that took a couple of hours to put together. The pieces fall off everywhere, and he demands that it be put back together every few minutes. Where’s the crazy glue? (Yes, I went there in my mind.) I now understand Lord Business. Everything must be perfectly in place!

But behind the end result is where the true lesson is hidden. Children want so badly to discover certain things for themselves. While they may need a lot of direct help with something, the thing they try to do themselves (and sometimes fail) are the lessons that take the deepest root. Additionally, it is my presence with my children that makes the most difference, not simply the end result.

HAT TAKES LASTING ROOT in liturgy are the things we discover for ourselves, just as a child does. But this does not mean we do not teach and catechize. In fact, the importance of the liturgy demands it. But do we teach by demanding that everything be perfectly in its place, or do we lead by example and with our continued loving presence? If we do the latter, we might crack open a door for someone to discover something beautiful they did not realize before.

So, when there is deviation from the Roman Rite—whether knowingly or not—it is very tempting to use the “Bad Cop” approach, but it never works. In fact, it will cause damage. It must always be accompanied with the “Good”. Albeit with a bit of finesse, it is with a firm hand, at times we need to remind others of not only the particulars of the Roman Rite, but perhaps also the “why” behind it. This may not yield immediate results, but a firm (bad cop) but loving (good cop) approach will then yield lasting fruit.

ERHAPS THE MORE SUBTLE, yet effective approach in catechesis is demonstrated by Rembrandt’s The Return of the Prodigal Son. Henri Nouwen writes of the disparity of touch in the two hands the father places upon his son. One is firm; the other, gentle.

The father’s left hand touching the son’s shoulder is strong and muscular….That hand seems to not only touch, but, with its strength, also to hold….How different is the father’s right hand! This hand does not hold or grasp. It is refined, soft, and very tender…it wants to caress, to stroke, and to offer consolation and comfort. (Prodigal Son, pg. 111, Henri Nouwen)

The father’s approach is simultaneously firm and gentle. His hands offer direct guidance as well as safety. Ultimately, it is his presence that teaches. We are called to do the same.

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 Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“If he converses with the learned and judicious, he delights in their talent—if with the ignorant and foolish, he enjoys their stupidity. He is not even offended by professional jesters. With a wonderful dexterity he accommodates himself to every disposition. As a rule, in talking with women (even with his own wife) he is full of jokes and banter.”

— ‘Erasmus on St. Thomas More (England’s 1st lay Chancellor)’

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