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Views from the Choir Loft

God Has No Need of Our Music

Fr. David Friel · February 5, 2017

OT EVERYONE appreciates the value of the liturgy, nor do all understand the value of particular aspects of liturgical celebration. For some, church architecture seems frivolous, while to others, it is “organized religion” that poses a difficulty. For some, the very idea of offering a “sacrifice” is interpreted (wrongly, I believe) as unnecessary, unfruitful, or unscriptural.

The value and pertinence of sacred music, also, is very often not well understood or appreciated. After all, some people ask, what good does a choir accomplish? What purpose does singing serve in the act of worship? “God doesn’t need to hear your music,” they might say. “He has no need of your praise or your music.”

A passage from Saint Irenaeus might serve as a clarifying response to such a position:

The Lord gave directions to His disciples to offer first-fruits to God from His own creatures, not as though He stood in need of them, but in order that they, themselves, might be neither unfruitful nor ungrateful. (Irenaeus, Adversus haereses 4.17.5; trans. adapt. from David Power, Irenaeus of Lyons on Baptism and Eucharist {Nottingham, England: Grove Books, 1991}, 15-16)

Indeed, while God may have no need of our music, nor does He have need of our worship, our love, or our very existence. This is precisely how we know the magnitude of His love.

UR DILIGENCE in the work of sacred music, therefore, serves not to fulfill a need on God’s part (as though the Godhead could stand in “need” of anything). Our worship, rather, serves to fulfill our own need to bear fruit for God and to express our gratitude for His munificence.

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.—(Read full biography).

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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
7 June 2022 • FEEDBACK

From Chelan, Washington: “CCWatershed is a God-sent resource that I can’t function without! Such great work by the team to bring beauty back to our liturgy!” From Gainesville, Florida: “I am so appreciative of the work, of my brothers and sisters in music!” From Troutman, North Carolina: “Keep up the excellent work in service of the Liturgy!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

This was first breach in the walls of a fortress, centuries old, stoutly built, strong and robust, but no longer capable of responding to the spiritual needs of the age. [N.B. the “fortress” is a liturgy which nourished countless great saints.]

— Annibale Bugnini (19 March 1966)

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