Conciliar, I have played the piano in church since I was ten. I am now 50.
Playing the piano is an act of humble service.
My ability to play and make music comes from the Lord.
I do not play for my own glory or advancement. I do not ever “perform” in church.
Throughout the years, whenever I have had the privilege of working with children, I teach them that Christians do not “perform,” we serve. We are like those who prepare and serve food, only we prepare and serve music.
I do not “need applause” nor do I seek it out. I am a servant of the Lord, His handmaiden.
It is a special privilege for me to play for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. During the first Mass I ever played for, I was aware of the angels in heaven making their glorious music, and I knew that I was extremely blessed to be included in their “orchestra” in spite of my human limitations and flaws.
Throughout each Mass, I am aware that I am playing for the Lord of heaven and earth, Jesus Christ Himself.
I am also aware that I am playing for the Body of Christ, my brothers and sisters. It is my “job” to help them to draw closer to God.
I do NOT equate prayer with asking for things. Please do not accuse me of this. In fact, since becoming a Catholic three years ago, I have asked for very little from the Lord. Shortly after I converted to Catholicism a wise elderly Catholic woman taught me that it is best to ask for the virtues that will help us to endure and rejoice in whatever comes our way. I have tried to follow her teaching because I believe it is a good teaching.
My husband and I were kicked out of our evangelical Protestant church after a woman pastor propagated lies about us. A tribunal of strangers was convened by the church, and we were told to leave. (A year after we were ousted, the woman pastor was apprehended by church leaders in another lies, and she was fired.)
Even though I had played piano for a church almost every Sunday of my life, after the “ousting,” for almost two years, I didn’t play for church. In fact, I didn’t play for any secular venue either, as my hands shook so badly.
One of the few things that I asked for of the Lord was the opportunity to play for the Holy Mass.
He graciously answered that prayer. I thank Him for allowing me to serve Him with the talent that He gave me.
I do not agree with you that clapping is anonymous and spiritually empty. I’ve found it to be a very touching display of corporate Christian love. Perhaps we have different opinions on this because of our different backgrounds or because of the differences in our cities or ethnicity.
You are entitled to your opinion, as I am entitled to mine. Remember that the Bible, especially the Psalms, is full of admonitions to “clap your hands, all you people.”
Yes, the Bible also contains admonitions to “be silent before the Lord.”
So neither of us can claim a lock on “the truth” when it comes to clapping. Both of our opinions about clapping are legitimate. The Lord looks into our hearts and discerns our motives. If we are clapping or not clapping out of a desire to glorify God, then it appears from the Bible that God will accept our “offering.”
When the Pharisees asked Jesus to tell the people to be quiet during his entry into Jerusalem, Jesus told them that “If they are silent, the stones will cry out.”
Whether we clap or not, the LORD will receive applause, from the stones if not from His people.
“When I was needy, you clapped for me.” Did I quote that verse? No, I didn’t. It isn’t in the Bible. Please don’t make fun of me or be sarcastic. The Bible says that we should show love and forbearance towards one another. I wish I had a thicker skin, but I must say that your entire post made me feel stupid and very unloved.
Your comment about “I’m glad you don’t perform in my parish” was hard for me to take. It made me want to cry. You don’t even know me, and yet you say such an unwelcoming, unhospitable thng to me.
I suppose I said something along the same lines, but I didn’t personalize it like you did. Yes, I am very grateful that I don’t attend parishes where it is an evil thing to applaud as a “welcome back” for a sister who has undergone surgery and is back at the piano bench serving her Lord and people.
If no one claps, which is the usual scenario after a Mass, that’s OK with me. I don’t need applause. I need to do the Lord’s Will.
I hope this post has helped you to get to know me a little better and realize that I am not a “performer in need of human applause.” I am trying very hard to accept your comments in a good way, and I’m trying to see the good in your comments that you intended. Sometimes written words come across a lot colder than the real person. Perhaps this is the case with you.
) But ya know what? We just have to get over ourselves. Being a Christian means to be part of a community. Irritation is part of that experience. (Maybe being an irritant is my spiritual gifting!?! Hey, can I be the Irritation Minister?)
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