Singing the mass

 

We Irish are famously shy about singing at Mass. Perhaps because many Catholics once saw congregational singing as “a Protestant thing,” the habit has been faithfully passed down: keep your head down, keep your mouth shut, and let someone else do the singing. Even when hymn books or sheets appear — on those rare Sundays when they do — most of us still remain resolutely silent. The choir or folk group, if there is one, is expected to carry the load. Heaven forbid anyone in the pews might actually join in.

Getting ready

 

pic - Zbynek Pospisil - Getty Images

It is as easy to arrive 10 minutes before the start of mass than it is to rush in the door as the priest is arriving at the sanctuary to begin the mass. In a way the mass begins before anyone arrives.  Someone might have to put on the heating if it is winter and someone has to prepare the altar along with the various items for use in the liturgy.

Shocking the world

 

There was a fair queue after Mass this morning—people of roughly my own vintage and capacity—each holding small white envelopes to collect a modest supply of moist ashes. I found myself chatting with one of the ladies about the state of the world and the state of the faith. We agreed that it is all in the hands of the good Lord. Yet the good Lord has only people like us to go out into the world and quite literally proclaim the Good News.

A time of trial, a time of grace

 

Sunday 22 February 2026

 Meditatio:

“…and suddenly angels came and waited on him” (Matthew 4:11)

Lectio Divina:*

Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7

Psalm 50(51)

Romans 5:12-19

Matthew 4:1-11

Commentary:

There is something in many people – even atheists and agnostics  -  that senses the need for a kind of Lent. If it did not exist, we might have to invent it. Arriving as it does with spring in the Northern Hemisphere, Lent naturally invites clearing out, cutting back, reviewing, planting, and sowing.

But Lent is far more than seasonal self‑improvement. For Christians it is a time of renewal and preparation: renewal, because we periodically need to reset our spiritual compass and turn away — metanoia — from what harms us and others; preparation, because Lent leads us to the greatest day of the year, Easter Sunday. We only ever have now.

Sharing goods

 

Here is another private prayer I’ve borrowed from the Anglican liturgy. At this stage I’m probably in danger of being accused of plagiarism 😊

A small secret

 

I’m blessed to live in a rural village where, every so often, I can slip away for a quiet audience with the King of the universe. It’s a small secret, really — no announcements, no fuss. Just a place where conversation, complaint, or simple silence are all welcome. You might try it yourself sometime; you’d be surprised who’s waiting.

A sacrifice of thanks

 

Those few quiet moments following the reception of holy communion are precious. They are a time to close in so to speak and savour the moment as well as enjoy – in faith – the loving presence of God. It is like sitting motionless and quietly with the beloved, hand in hand, seeing with the mind’s eye a beautiful landscape.  There is a special private prayer that I mull over at this point in the sacred liturgy and which is taken from the Anglican tradition: