The Ivory Towers

In my effort to keep an open mind (at which I have varied levels of success), I read several Catholic publications, including those that might be considered "conservative" and those that might be considered "liberal".

I usually don't get too riled up about what I read. However, one of the "conservative" periodicals has a music "expert" that is a regular contributor. In the most recent article, the "expert" laments that amateur musicians have taken over Catholic liturgies (there is a "lack of interest in musical improvement in the volunteer system") and that pop music is the bane of society.

Like this musical "expert", I prefer classical liturgical music to folk liturgical music. Unlike the "expert", I recognize that classical liturgical music, as well as folk liturgical music, can be both good and bad. In fact, classical liturgical music was the folk liturgical music of its time. I can hear the "experts" from centuries ago complaining that Gregorian chant was being replaced by garbage from Mozart and Schubert! Nobody remembers the bad classical liturgical music - we are still playing and singing the good classical liturgical music. We no longer (thank God) sing that 70s classic "Pass It On". However, "On Eagles Wings" will be played and sung for centuries to come.

I barely remember most of what was thrown at me during college. However, I remember a lesson from one of my professors that happened to be an artist. He asked the question: How often do we say "I know what I like and I don't like that" when is is more accurate for us to say "I like what I know and I don't know that".

Why do most people reject Jesus? Because they don't know him. Hopefully, the musical "expert" (who claims to be Catholic) does a better job of learning about Jesus than learning about liturgical music!