First Reading: Acts 16:22-34; Psalm: 138. R. v. 7c; Gospel: Jn 16:5-11

THE POWER OF HYMNS TO GOD

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

The common axiom “Music is food for the soul” is very true. But to be more precise, it is preferable to say “Good music is food for the soul.” A good music does something to us that even sometimes a person cannot do. For instance, the words of a consoler may not be enough to heal our brokenness but the voice of music can. The reality of being moved to tears at times while singing or listening to a good music goes to show how deep music can go in penetrating our soul and affecting our feelings and emotions. Even secular music can brighten up a dull personality.

The affective potency of a good music lies both in its melody and lyrics. The melody should uplift the soul and the lyrics should connect or address situations in life. A good music possesses both features. When we sing in Church, the melody of our music is like an elevator uplifting our thanksgiving, praises, concerns, petitions, burdens and pains in the form of prayer to God. Prayer is communicating with God. But in music, our prayerful words are conveyed faster to God by the melody that accompanies it. Little wonder St Augustine said “Whoever sings well, prays twice.”

In the first reading of today, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God while in prison, and the prisons doors miraculously opened. This is a taste of the power of hymns. Singing of hymns or gospel music is a very powerful way to pray. Sometimes we don’t really need to complain of having no time to pray or searching for too many words to talk to God. Singing praises to God is enough. It is even a faster way to pray. Whatever be our situation in life, we can offer it to God through praises. This is a very powerful way to pray. Join me as we offer our prayers to God in this song “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future. And life is worth a living just because he lives.”

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, accept our songs of praises and thanksgiving and bless us.  Amen.