Deacon Brigid Waszczak

Sing joyfully to the Lord…
    it is fitting… to praise him.
Praise the Lord with the harp;
    make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully, and shout for joy.
Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us.
—Psalm 33:1-5, 21

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Music—instrumental and vocal—is in my DNA.

My mother began as a concert pianist, then organist and choir director. In the evening, as I drifted off to sleep, her practicing of classical pieces were my lullabies. We spent countless hours in choir lofts (with and without choirs) where we often sat with other accomplished musicians who played stringed instruments.

As a child, I made up melodies, voiced loudly throughout the house. I still do! Worship services inspire hymn-like tunes; everyday joys inspire nonsense lyrics.

While volunteering to train an elementary-aged choir for Christmas, I often quoted the lyrics: “Everybody has a song, everybody can sing… Even rusty bells ring!” Off-pitch voices were welcome because our goal was participation not perfection.

The Psalmist encourages melodious, joyful praise lifted to God, Creator of music. And, the Biblical author counsels us not to be content with old songs or psalms, but to construct new ones that suit our jubilant occasions.

The scriptural hymn concludes with a prayer requesting that God refresh us with God’s unconditional love and mercy because they inspire our joyful, sonorous, sweet refrains. Lift not only this prayer to God, but your voice, instrumental music of your own making, or songs —lyrical, made up, silly, or sacred. God enjoys them all.

Rejoice! Praise! Play and sing with fervor, freshness, and skill—“even rusty bells ring!” And remember that the most important instrument is the heart.

Hallelujah!

—Deacon Brigid