Sunday Word for Pastoral Musicians

The National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) provides a free email reflection for liturgical musicians based on the Sunday readings for any members of the association. Parish members may then reprint the reflection for use in their own parish. Below is a sample of one of the reflections.

If you would like to receive these email reflection, consider joining NPM or getting your pastor or music director to join. Check the NPM website for more information and join today! If you are already a member of NPM and want to begin receiving these email reflections, contact Kathleen M. Haley, Membership Services Director, at haley@npm.org.


Second Sunday of Advent
December 10, 2006

“A voice of one crying out in the desert:
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”
Luke 3:4b

Reflection

Do you ever feel like a voice crying out in the wilderness? I sure do sometimes, for any number of reasons on a given day. However, this Sunday’s Gospel reading strikes me in a new way today.

Perhaps we are called to be “voices in the wilderness.” We are often so caught up in our work as ministers that we forget that it is all about Jesus. Perhaps we are to use our voices to say, “It is not about me, it is about Jesus,” especially at this time of the year.

We pastoral musicians proclaim the Lord to others. When we work to get ourselves out of the way – our likes and dislikes, our egos, even our “favorite songs” – we more clearly point the way to Jesus. We “prepare the way of the Lord” by supporting our assemblies in singing God’s praise. Pointing the way toward the Lord is just the kind of reminder we need during our busy Christmas preparations.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, as we prepare the way and make clear the path for you to come among us soon, help us keep our focus on you.

Jim Wickman
Pastoral Associate for Liturgy
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
Washington, DC

Copyright © 2006, National Association of Pastoral Musicians. Sunday Word for Pastoral Musicians is a weekly service of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, 962 Wayne Ave., Suite 210, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Phone (240) 247-3000. Fax (240) 247-3001. E-mail npmsing@npm.org. Parish members of NPM may reprint this material for use in their own parish.