The Beauty of Ordinary TIme in the Liturgical season after the Easter Season

I was struck by the power of the antiphons, readings and the responsorial psalm for last Sunday, the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  They were so appropriate for the times that we live in right now.  In the midst of division and hatred and anger and so much stress from the covid-19 virus, Christ says: "Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid: you are worth more than many sparrows.

The cantor chanted: "The Lord is the strength of his people, a saving refuge for the one he has anointed."  And again, in the responsorial psalm, the cantor prayed in song: "But I pray to you, O Lord, for a time of your favor.  In your great mercy, answer me, O God, with your salvation that never fails.  Lord, answer, for your mercy is kind, in your great compassion, turn toward me."

For liturgical musicians, this is a difficult time.  We cannot sing in our choirs, or play our flutes or trumpets and we cannot sing as a congregation.  But....God is here for us always and we pray to him through our liturgy for help and acknowledge his kindness and compassion.

Know that the time will come when we will be singing again!  The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy says that music is integral and fundamental to the liturgy.  We will be singing again!!

Liturgical Music in the time of covid-19 virus

Why are we not singing as a congregation?  Why do we no longer have choirs or vocal groups?
Why is the cantor enclosed in a box?

To quote the Diocesan Office of Worship:  "There is evidence (including examples involving choirs in other states) that singing, especially in close proximity to others, greatly increases the risk of viral spread by aerosoling respiratory particles in a manner more akin to coughing or sneezing than mere talking. This causes particles to travel beyond six feet, and even surgical masks don't effectively contain them.  Infectious disease experts with whom we have consulted believe that this poses an unacceptable risk that would negate the beneficial effects of distancing and masks."

So.....as of June 1, the only singing currently allowed at public liturgies is by a cantor who must sing with a microphone from an enclosed space - either a room separate from the main body of the church - or from an enclosed booth or box specially constructed for this purpose.   The parish is in the process of making an enclosed booth which will be in the choir area.

I know it is hard for many of you not to sing right now, but please do not sing or hum in any way!

As you know,  the diocese has forbidden any choirs, or wind or brass instruments for several months now.  The piano and organ and guitar may be used.  As of June 1 (see above) one cantor may also sing at Mass.  We have also removed all missalettes, hymnals, bulletins, and anything else on which a covid virus could settle (sometimes remaining for as long as 6 days).  This was effective the middle of March.

We want everyone to stay healthy, and this is why the changes in music were made. This is a special, not normative for Church music, time that we are living in.

Let us all pray that a vaccine may be found soon and we can return to implementing the fullness
of the Church Documents and Liturgical Law.