God's Hearing...

A thought provoking piece by Michael Lawrence over on The New Liturgical Movement.

"When Father started the Eucharistic prayer, his voice got very soft, even though, if I recall correctly, he was chanting.
It truly was a remarkable moment.
I spoke to the priest about this at lunch afterwards, about how much this approach emphasizes the theocentric character of the liturgy.
He leaned over and said to me very intently, 'The Almighty, the maker of all ears, has excellent hearing.'
That pretty much sums it up."

I have never understood why some people think volume=fervor.
And any good actor knows, of course, that one can often draw the focus of listeners most effectively by becoming quieter.

And surely, a low volume is more appropriate for many moments of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Of course, another problem is that there are priests and liturgists who misunderstand to whom the EP is addressed:And lifting his eyes to YOU, he said, "Take....."
They will insist that somehow this is addressed to the people, sort of playing the roles of the disciples at the table in the Last Supper.

One might as well be recounting a story of a conversation one has already had and, while doing so, turn from the person to whom one was talking to face the partner in the exchange in the story.

One is happy to hold a newborn.
One is happy to see your team's championship victory.

Does the volume of ones reactions to these events reflect their relative importance? or the level of ones joy?

Say something!

I were but little happy if I could say how much.
Silence is the perfectest herald of joy.

Quiet intensity is at least as appropriate a way to praise the Almighty as rafter-ringing... JMO.