• Art
  • Book Reviews
  • Catechism
  • Games
  • Music
  • Special Needs
  • Technology
  • Theology

Amazing Catechists

Teaching and learning the faith together

Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Patron Saint of Amazing Catechists
    • Donations
  • Lisa Mladinich
  • Columnists
    • Browse by Topic
      • #giveaway
      • Art
      • Campus Ministry
      • Catechetics
      • Catechism
      • Catechist Training
      • Catholic Spirituality
      • Church Documents
      • Columnists
      • Culture
      • Elementary School
      • Evangelization
      • Family Life
      • Featured
      • Games
      • General
      • Grief Resources
      • High School
      • Homeschooling
      • Liturgical
      • Mary
      • Middle School
      • Music
      • New Age
      • NFP/Chastity
      • Prayer
      • RCIA & Adult Ed
      • Reader Suggestions
      • Sacraments
      • Scripture
      • Special Needs
      • Spiritual Warfare
      • Technology
      • Theology
      • Therapeutic
      • Video
      • Vocations
    • Browse by Author
      • Alex Basile
      • Alice Gunther
      • Amanda Woodiel
      • Cay Gibson
      • Christian LeBlanc
      • Christopher Smith
      • Deanna Bartalini
      • Dorian Speed
      • Elizabeth Ficocelli
      • Elizabeth Tichvon
      • Ellen Gable Hrkach
      • Faith Writer
      • Father Juan R. Velez
      • Gabe Garnica
      • Jeannie Ewing
      • Jennifer Fitz
      • Justin Combs
      • Karee Santos
      • Lisa Mladinich
      • Marc Cardaronella
      • Maria Rivera
      • Mary Ellen Barrett
      • Mary Lou Rosien
      • Maureen Smith
      • Msgr. Robert Batule
      • Msgr. Charles Pope
      • Pat Gohn
      • Peggy Clores
      • Robyn Lee
      • Rocco Fortunato
      • Sarah Reinhard
      • Steve McVey
      • Tanja Cilia
      • William O’Leary
  • Resources
    • Bible Stories
    • Book Reviews
    • Catholic Cartoons
    • Catholic Links
    • Interviews
  • Speakers
  • Contact us

We are Music to Heaven’s Ears

By Gabe Garnica

SONY DSC

There is nothing like a beautiful Gregorian Chant or a lovely Hymn to carry us into a deeper connection  to God Almighty.  Beyond serving as a soothing environment for meditation, music can itself become a vehicle for prayer.  Benedict XVI, a pianist in his own right, often spoke of music’s power to raise us to God and become a prayer in itself.  Anyone listening to a great orchestral concert can only marvel at the inspiring melding of varied sounds into a single unified, yet varied, message.  It is at this image of an orchestra that we begin our discussion here.

What is an orchestra, if not a synchronized alliance of distinct tones combining to embrace and elicit a desired message to its audience?  Each instrument contributes its own, unique beauty which adds to the flavor and depth of the music while maintaining its own identity.   This wonderful  interaction of unity and uniqueness mirrors our role in serving God Almighty in the concert hall of life.

Just as each instrument has its special voice, so too, each of us has been given special gifts from above, which we are to use to bring greater glory to God and serve others.  That service, of course, includes helping them in their needs as well as helping in the salvation of as many others as possible.

When an instrument is played well, it often melts into the melody of the entire orchestra.  However, when not played well, that same instrument can call attention to itself, and detract from the efforts of the other instruments.  Well-played instruments do not call attention to themselves, or seek the spotlight for their own gain. Rather, they excel when the spotlight is placed on them, as in a planned solo.  There is a humble beauty in anonymous talent placed in the service of the music rather than in the service of its own glory.

Different musical arrangements call for different combinations of instruments, each ready when called upon as needed.  This and other reasons highlight the need for diverse talent eager to build something much greater than any single contributor.

Are we not like the players in such an orchestra?  Do not we each possess unique talents which allow us to be instruments for God and others if we so choose?  Is it not true that our talents, when used for such noble purposes, rise to become true instruments of love, service, prayer and, yes, even salvation?  It follows that we are each called to humbly offer our gifts in the service of God, developing and playing these talents well enough  that we do not call attention to ourselves.

Given all of the above, consider what talents you possess, and see these gifts as opportunities to give God a beautiful return on His investment in you.  Seek to develop these gifts in humble service of the salvation of souls and you will be a vital musician in the most beautiful orchestra possible.

Giving praise to God Almighty, honoring the Queen of Heaven, saving souls, and loving others are just some of the wonderful arrangements which we are called to perform.  Follow the call of St. Francis of Assisi to be an instrument for God, and all that you do will be music to Heaven’s ears.

2016   Gabriel Garnica

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Read all posts by Gabe Garnica Filed Under: Culture, Evangelization, Liturgical, Music, Prayer Tagged With: Benedict XVI, Gregorian Chant, Hymns

About Gabe Garnica

Gabriel Garnica is crazy enough to believe that we can all be saints, and he refuses to buy the lie that we cannot. He is a college professor with degrees in law and mental health counseling. He was born in Colombia and came to the U.S. as a young child. While Gabe continues to enjoy teaching law, his greatest fulfillment as an educator has come from his ten years as a catechist at two local parishes. Gabe is passionate about sharing his faith through writing and speaking; and he has enjoyed giving numerous talks to children on such topics as Divine Mercy, David and Goliath, The Ten Commandments, and prioritizing one’s faith. While he enjoys talking to children, it is in writing and speaking to adults that Gabe truly feels he has found his calling. His goal is to continue developing his Catholic speaking and write several books on his topics of interest, which include meditations on the Ten Commandments, Divine Mercy, the saints, parable stories, general Scripture, Pro-Life, and The Virgin Mary. He enjoys writing for his blog Deus solus https://wordpress.com/posts/deussolus9.wordpress.com and as a columnist at Catholic Stand ww.catholicstand.com/author/gabriel-garnica/

Gabe’s favorite saints are Tarcisius, Therese “The Little Flower”, and Alphonsus de Liguori, whom he describes as giving us a powerful glimpse of the loving challenge which God has given each of us. As mentioned above, Gabe believes that we are all called to be saints, but we spend more time convincing ourselves why we cannot become one than trying to fulfill our true purpose in becoming precisely that. Gabe also speaks about Catholic marriage as being the true “Love Triangle”, with each partner and God.

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

What’s New?

microphoneNEED A SPEAKER FOR YOUR NEXT IN-SERVICE?

Amazing Catechists can help!

Visit our Speakers page to access our available speakers and topics. And if you don't see what you are looking for, send a comment through the website, and we will get right back to you!

Catholic CD of the month club

Sign up for our Newsletter!

Columnists

Alice Gunther

Amanda Woodiel

Cay Gibson

Christian LeBlanc

Christopher Smith

Deanna Bartalini

Dorian Speed

Elizabeth Ficocelli

Elizabeth Tichvon

Ellen Gable Hrkach

Faith Writer

Father Juan Velez

Gabriel Garnica

Jeannie Ewing

Jennifer Fitz

Karee Santos

Lisa Mladinich

Marc Cardaronella

Mary Ellen Barrett

Mary Lou Rosien

Maureen Smith

Monsignor Robert Batule

Msgr. Charles Pope

Pat Gohn

Peggy Clores

Robyn Lee

Rocco Fortunato

Sarah Reinhard

Sherine Green

Sr. Teresa Joseph fma

Steve McVey

Tanja Cilia

William O’Leary

Archives

Share Amazing Catechists at your website!

Amazing Catechists

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2022 Amazing Catechists. · Log in