Ordinary Miracles

Each year, I present to students in Villanova University’s version of Theology 101 the idea that together with me they are embarking on a pilgrimage. On this pilgrimage, we rely on each other for support, hospitality, and engagement so that together we may all learn from each other. To foster this sense of shared journey, I have the students listen to Ian Callanan’s song “In Beauty We Walk” . This fall, I asked them not only to listen but to join me in singing the song. In subsequent written reflections on singing together, some students observed that the experience drove home the idea of togetherness in a manner that talking about shared journeying could not accomplish on its own.

Their comments reminded me of what we find in General Instruction of the Roman Missal 47:

When the people are gathered, and as the Priest enters with the Deacon and ministers, the Entrance Chant begins. Its purpose is to open the celebration, foster the unity of those who have been gathered, introduce their thoughts to the mystery of the liturgical time or festivity, and accompany the procession of the Priest and ministers.

Although these words were written with respect to singing during the opening procession, the remarks about fostering unity apply to all the singing done in the context of liturgical celebrations. My students sang together in a context (a theology classroom) not often associated with singing. They were able to grasp the unitive dimension of singing in a way that perhaps those of us who sing at liturgies day in and day out might miss. In other words, we are like those who marvel at the generation of wine at the wedding in Cana but miss the wider scope of God’s activity in the world. Augustine puts it this way.

For even as that which the servants put into the water-pots was turned into wine by the doing of the Lord, so in like manner also is what the clouds pour forth changed into wine by the doing of the same Lord. But we do not wonder at the latter, because it happens every year: it has lost its marvellousness by its constant recurrence. And yet it suggests a greater consideration than that which was done in the water-pots. For who is there that considers the works of God, whereby this whole world is governed and regulated, who is not amazed and overwhelmed with miracles?*

Let us attend to the wonder of grapes into wine and let us attend to the wonder of singing together, signaling and effecting the unity of the Body of Christ.

* Augustine, Tractates on John 8, 1 at https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf107/npnf107.iii.ix.html Emphasis added