Let us do this great work with love...

A beautiful post from my good, good friend, Tom Booth... 

"So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven 

because she has shown great love."

These words of Jesus say it all. If we get all the right notes, but have not love, we have failed as music ministers. Our primary call is to discipleship, and our secondary call is to musicianship. The disciple sings from the heart with great love and compassion. The "assembly" is a group of people; tired, hurting, sinful, faithful and needing hope. Just like you and I. May our music be a balm this summer. May the songs we choose and the way we "perform our ministry" bring strength to the faint of heart.

Maybe we even take the time to affirm our communities? When was the last time you told your parish, "You all sing so well. Thank you for the effort, thank you for the support, thank you for what you do all year, and thank you for singing every week - it matters to God, it matters to our visitors, and as your minister of music, it matters to me that you open yourselves to the word, the song... the Lord."

Let us imitate the love Jesus showed the woman in the gospel. These are tough times for people, for families, for teenagers... it is tough being a human. The church is a sacrament to the world. As musicians, let us be a sacrament to the assembly and LOVE them.

I have heard it said, "If we do not love the people of God, we have no business preaching to them." That is a good challenge, and we can apply that to our ministry as musicians: "If we do not love those to whom we sing, we have no business singing for them." Of course, we are there so THEY can sing. Let us do this great work with love - and musical proficiency.

Peace +

TB

Look for more song suggestions this Thursday. Next up is 11th Sunday in OT (C).