Music is Evil!

So, music is completely evil and all bad…unless it is very specific hymns or Gregorian Chant.

A trend I have seen in some places is that music of any sort, other than the type sung in reverent Masses, should be condemned. I would hesitate to agree with this. Music of many kinds has been used throughout history. Who are we to condemn it outright? And what about the different music used in the various rites of the Church? Should these be condemned as well? I think a danger is to pendulum swing. To see certain types of music as not what they should be and condemnable, and to take the short step from there to condemning all or most music.

{Full disclosure: I went down this path myself after having left the convent. I did it for the reason stated above and also because I was used to the silence of the cloister. When we listened to music on “free days” days of celebration, it was always good and wholesome music. Talk about culture shock when I left and having to relearn most everything. It has only been in the last couple of years that I have allowed myself to listen to music again. I have found much peace in doing so. What God creates is good. He created music. He is also limitless, unlike us, and I am pretty confident he doesn’t limit himself to one form of music.}

Don’t get me wrong. I love many old hymns and cherish Gregorian Chant. I enjoy listening to the chant and find that it helps me focus on the presence of Our Lord in my soul. I do not however, think that all other forms of music are bad. Some music should be avoided. Total agreement here. However, music is a very powerful medium that God has provided for our benefit.

Music can help us when we are sad, depressed, worried, happy, insanely exuberant or epically victorious. Really, you name an emotion or situation and there is music to help or augment it.

Classical music is of course a go to. Folk music can’t be forgotten. Irish folk music and pub songs are so fun! Ragtime music like Maple Leaf Rag is so enjoyable to listen to and play! Bing Crosby has to be in the top 10. And the list goes on…

And then there’s the epic genre of music. Ahhhh I love this genre. When I am sad, worried, happy or feeling victorious, whether in the physical or spiritual realm, the epic genre helps me. It picks me up and gives me courage when I am in need of it and lends a voice to my joy. Walking through the field singing at the top of your voice to this genre (or others) is very therapeutic. You should try it sometime.

I took piano lessons for almost ten years growing up, but have barely started touching the surface of this beautiful art form, and only just now am I beginning to study the ways that it helps us in the spiritual realm. Since this is the case, I won’t say much more in this post. I do however, want to point out a gem of a scripture passage my husband brought to my attention recently.

“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? Or who hath stretched the line upon it? Upon what are its bases grounded? Or who laid the corner stone thereof, when the morning stars praised me together, and all the sons of God made a joyful melody?” Job ch 38 vs 4-8 Douay-Rheims Version

If you aren’t falling off of your seats right now, there may be something wrong with you. Just kidding, just kidding. But isn’t this a beautiful section? God is speaking to Job in this passage about the creation of the world. We could have food for many meditations just trying to imagine what the morning stars and the sons of God, or angels, were singing as God created the various parts of creation. I bet each thing God created had a different song in honor of the one who was creating it. Getting to Heaven and hearing that soundtrack someday will be so amazing!!

Using music to help us in this particularly stressful time might just be what we need to lift our spirits and give us the impetus to keep going with a jaunty step.

I’m going to put a few links to some of my favorite epic music just in case that genre speaks to you the way it does me. Please don’t judge the name of the group. I know the name Two Steps From Hell will probably turn certain of you off and get the blood boiling. But let’s begin giving the benefit of the doubt instead of condemning immediately. And perhaps the title refers to being pointed towards Heaven and the struggle that we all face to climb the Mountain of God…

(I do admit though, that they have many pieces of music and I haven’t listened to all of them. So, I am not recommending them with absolute dependence.)

Victory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKRUPYrAQoE This is one of my all time favorite’s and the one I sang to as I walked in the field during a particularly difficult time. 🙂 No matter what we are facing, God will triumph!!

Autumn Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRT_dSN_Z0k&list=LLqIHe-SKb3bhYNdY5q0W8KA&index=38&t=0s Simple and beautiful. Classical in nature and uplifting.

Impossible https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qTghUgMOeY This one helps me remember nothing is impossible with God.

Unbreakable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK-lwIGwp9Y With God, nothing can break us, nothing can stop us.

Pegasus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoQApwEk6Uw Just amazing. And I’ve always liked Pegasus. 🙂

That’s all for now. As I said, I am just delving into the importance of music for the soul. God willing, I will be able to post more about it in the future.

I hope you enjoy one or two of the songs. 🙂