Amid melody we move. The air is filled with harmonies never heard before. Our May time morning prayer calls on us "To sing to the Lord a new song!" The Psalms, so loved in Ireland since the days of Patrick, urge us to sing with full voice and in tones of joy. Harp and lute and stringed instruments make glad the heart. The insistence of the Psalms held fascination for St. Monica's son, Augustine His words are with us still. "We are all told to sing a new song to the Lord ... A song is always a thing of joy, and, to those who think, a thing of love." He awakens us to the lasting dominance of Truth. "Only the new person can sing the new song ... This asks the singer to lead a new life." This new life must be rooted in the New Testament, a life in harmony with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and free from all the discords of infidelity, hypocrisy, hatred and pride. The new song, the new life, and the new person will emerge from Saving Word and Healing Sacrament. The dominant note will be of love. St. John does not allow us to forget. "By this shall all know that you are my followers . .. If you have love for one another!"
Augustine anticipates the stern words of Shakespeare, spoken by Hamlet's faithless uncle: "My words fly up. My thoughts remain below, Words, without thoughts never to Heaven go!"
We would not choose to be singers for Christ, chanting praises with lips only, but with hearts far from Him. "Sing with your voices! Sing with your hearts! Sing with your lips!" And then he puts the great challenge. "Sing with your lives!"
What will be the theme of our new song? We sing in joy of those we love. When we sing songs of gratitude to the giver of every good gift the air is alive with the sound of music. Our vision becomes more clear amid songs of praise. "Do you ask what you should sing in praise? You, yourself, with your life of love and service will be the most grace filled song of all" The singer is the song.
Some songs are forever new. Age cannot wither them nor custom stale. The Tallaght Choral Society sang for us Mozart's Mass of Requiem. We were as deeply moved as those who in December 1791 heard the unfinished masterpiece in its first recital for the composer's funeral. We listen. We realise we have immortal longings in us. Heavenly harmonies sound from a distant shore to guide us safely home.
The timeless chants of Christian centuries come to us from Glenstal, Ampleforth and Downside. They are balm to the fevered spirit and breathe an air of healing calm.
Benedict and Hildegard sing with us. They point to Christ as did Mary in Cana of Galilee. She says to us today: "Whatever He says to you, do it/" Forgiven and restored, and with hope made new, we can answer the call, "Sing to the Lord a new song. Alleluia! Alleluia!"