Listen, play and sing

Many years ago, I participated in a workshop for those engaged in the music ministry for evangelisation. Great vibes and passion for mission shared among young people were as great as professional insides from the musicians who were leading our formation. One of the activities, which stayed with me ever since, was to listen to the piece of music in a very selective way. So, let’s say you decide to listen to the chosen song following with your ear ONLY drums or ONLY the guitar or ONLY the piano – whatever the piece is made of. I love that way of listening. It is not as easy as it sounds (unless you are a musician and listening to layers has become your second nature). It challenges your way of listening, masters your ways of tuning in, teaches you to separate other parts of the song to appreciate the complexity of the whole piece by looking at the simplicity of its parts. At times, you will find yourself drifting away from focusing on your chosen part and listening to something else (usually the lyrics or main melody which most of the time is the strongest part of the song). When you listen this way you might find yourself appreciating music more, realising that each bit is important and that someone had to have an imagination and talent to be able to put it all together in a way that gives you a wholesome experience of their expression of art through music.

The other day, as I was driving back home from work, I just did that: listened to some music with the ear tuned into something more than the lyrics or the pleasant melody. Couple of songs which I listened to had a great message shared through their lyrics, but I concentrated more on the sound of the guitar or piano and admired those who were able to balance and compliment the piece. Sometimes, if you listen to the acoustic version of your favourite song you might say to yourself: but it actually sounds better as the full instrumental version!

My “selective” listening to the music made me think about different relationships in our families and communities. Each one of us has different talents and roles which are important and compliment the piece of art we create together.

In our life, we talk a lot about listening to each other (especially when we feel we are not being heard). I ask myself – how do we listen to our own parts  which God wants us to play in his masterpiece. Seeking and finding God’s grace is to recognise which part of the song we are entrusted:

1. Keeping life’s rhythm – maybe through mundane daily tasks

2. Supporting the melody as quiet instrument  in the background– maybe  by giving others priority

3. Singing harmony – by collaborating with others

4. Following the lyrics – taking one day at a time as life unfolds through God’s loving kindness

5. All of the above and more?

Singing life’s song is discovering little things given us from God (called His graces) which we can transform into something great if shared!

In this year 2020 we talk a lot about being strong by being together and going through the pandemic and other challenges supporting each other. Maybe the way to go is simply to tune in and appreciate others as they play the life’s song with us. Maybe it is also seeing that our part is as important and needed as someone else’s.

With prayer and blessing for everyone,

Sr Grace