We were discussing various types of music we use in Church on a training day and the speaker played the Matt Redman song "Blessed be your name".
"The problem is", somebody commented, "that style is about performance".
I think that the person had not meant this to sound rude, but rather the style of music and the syncopation were fine for those who were comfortable with a 4 piece band and immersed in the development of popular music since the 60s, but the label "performance" stuck during the ensuing discussion. Nothing was mentioned (as I knew would be the case) about an organ voluntary or a choir anthem also being very specific musical styles requiring a similar degree of ability in order to play or sing. I did want to point out that when I play "Blessed be your name" on the guitar in Church I normally expect everybody to join in, as opposed to the other examples above.
Yesterday's Gospel at Ash Wednesday Communion was from Matthew where Jesus challenges those for whom an act of giving or prayer or fasting was a performance. If you want people to be impressed by your devotion then help yourself and go right ahead. Your reward will be there for you - other people speaking well of you. For these people the important element was what was shown on the outside, not the attitude of heart.
The opposite extreme is no better, though. Devotion without heart and understanding. Then it is just a matter of going through the motions.
So let our journey of Lent be a voyage of rediscovery; finding ourselves afresh in our worship and giving and people with a heartfelt and grateful response to the love of God.
Comments