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<div><figure><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2995" src="https://toddkmarsha.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Singing-Angels.jpg" alt="angels singing at mass" width="1011" height="722"></figure></div>



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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Raise your hand if you get annoyed when the people sitting directly behind you are singing so loud at Mass they drown out&#8230;.well, everything.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Right there with ya.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If they have good voices it&#8217;s not so bad. Used to bother me more than it does now. I guess middle age has mellowed me.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Thankfully, from my experience, most loud Mass singers can carry a tune.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But if they can&#8217;t carry a tune in a wheelbarrow, Jesus help us all.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I was sitting in front of a mediocre Mass singer one Sunday morning and the first thought that came to mind was, &#8220;Maybe I can drown him out with my own voice.&#8221;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I gave it a go but the problem was his off key notes were throwing <em>me</em> off key. Good gravy! Then it hit me&#8230;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What&#8217;s the big deal with off-key singing at Mass?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Off-Key Singing at Mass is Still Singing</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Off-key singers are <a href="http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/the-worshiping-assembly-at-mass.cfm">participating fully</a> in the Mass, exactly what Jesus calls us to do. Perhaps age has robbed this particular gentleman of the voice he once had. But at least he&#8217;s trying. And probably enjoying himself to boot.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">How many times have I sat down at Mass and not even picked up the hymnal? More than I care to admit.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I can sing but I don&#8217;t sing at every single Mass. I sing some songs but not others. I rarely sing the <a href="https://toddkmarsha.com/blog/amp/faith/internal-conflicts-on-easter-sunday/">communion</a> hymns unless I know the lyrics and like the song.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Yet I&#8217;m doggin&#8217; on the guy behind me because he&#8217;s singing off key?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I have no excuse. I have the ability to contribute to the joyful noise. I have a hymnal in front me with all the lyrics. What&#8217;s holding me back?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Pride. Just <a href="https://toddkmarsha.com/blog/amp/general/look-within-find-the-lord/">pride</a>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Wanting to pick and choose. Wanting to show up at Mass and do my thing when I&#8217;m there to do God&#8217;s thing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Its a celebration! We&#8217;re here with Jesus Christ, Our Savior. Why wouldn&#8217;t we want to sing about it?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Think about the first Christians. They didn&#8217;t all have good voices. But they sang their hearts out. The Bible says so.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong><em>&#8220;About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,&#8221; &#8211; Acts 16:25</em></strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Paul and Silas sang in prison. Prison!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If they sang in prison, then none of us has an excuse at Mass.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Bottom line, the good singing and the off-key singing at Mass are one in the same. Both glorify God.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So whether your voice is good, bad or ugly &#8211; pick up the hymnal and let &#8216;er rip!</p>

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