As part of your Lenten discipline, and as a way to "return" to the Lord, I suggest we musicians do a little homework. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops recently released a document entitled Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship. It really is a "must read" and a "must study" for anyone involved in liturgical music in the United States. If you are not familiar with Sing to the Lord, take the time to do so during Lent. The bishops, and those who helped shape the document, have put a lot of care and work into it and it really is a way for the American shepherds to give guidelines for the way that pastoral musicians sing, lead and pray at Mass. It is a good, helpful and challenging document. A compelling section in Sing to the Lord reminds music ministers that they are followers of Christ first, musicians second.

Liturgical musicians are first of all disciples, and only then are they ministers. Joined to Christ through the Sacraments of Initiation, musicians belong to the assembly of the baptized faithful. They are worshipers above all else. Like other baptized members of the assembly, pastoral musicians need to hear the Gospel, experience conversion, profess faith in Christ, and so proclaim the praise of God. Thus, musicians who serve the Church at prayer are not merely employees or volunteers. They are ministers who share the faith, serve the community, and express the love of God and neighbor through music.

What a wonderful reminder! We are "worshipers" first. Not music organizers, soloists, guitar players or liturgical composers. We are worshipers and we need to pray as well as sing! In fact, if we are singers or players and NOT worshiping, how then will the assembly enter into a deeper worship of God? We must first lead by example. Let us be prayer warriors and musicians second. Below is a link to the document Sing to the Lord. Listen to Come, Now is the Time for Worship, sung by Marissa Gamero on the Spirit and Song CD library. Beautifully prayed and sung, let it remind you to worship first and be a musician second!

Here's a link to the new US Bishops document: Sing to the Lord