For the last sixty years in most US parishes, we have sung songs or hymns at the Entrance Procession at Mass. We have fully embraced worship in English, transitioning rather quickly and completely from Latin.                                          

My faith has been nourished so much by the rich variety of scripture-based songs, or theologically deep hymns that has become the common repertoire. In general, we have succeeded in engaging the average person in full, active, and conscious participation in the liturgy by joining in song. Some communities are more successful than others in this effort.
My own observation is that we have quite a lot of work to do if we are to get to the next level of participation and have everyone join in every time we sing.

This isn’t meant to be an evaluation of our parish’s musical talent. I am inviting everyone to consider what are the values at play when we gather for Sunday worship and how taking some time to reflect on the values the Church offers for glorifying God and for our sanctification.

We can all agree that music is something that human beings hold as valuable. Aside from styles and preferences, it is clear that most people see music as an essential component of making things beautiful, or at least special in some way.

Since the updated translation of the Roman Missal was published in 2010, those who are tasked with forming the ministers and the people regarding the art of celebrating the Mass have been working on ways to use the antiphons that are provided in the Missal more regularly. We already do this well when it comes to the antiphon/refrain and text for the responsorial psalm. But most people don’t realize that each Mass we celebrate has a specific antiphon written for the Entrance and Communion processions.

Father Dan Merz of our diocese and who worked at the Bishops’ Conference in the Divine Worship Office has especially invited the priests of the diocese to become more familiar with using the antiphons and psalm texts. At the Priests Institute each fall, we have been primarily singing antiphons and psalms instead of songs and hymns. 

This is something that the Worship Commission and the musicians have been discussing this past year. There is no specific plan for the use of antiphons for the beginning of Mass and for Communion, but we are considering how we might use these liturgical gems more frequently. I would like everyone to know about something the Church has treasured as a great value for many centuries and see how we could appropriate them into our worship.

It’s a big challenge and just something to keep in mind as we continue to enhance the collaboration required to provide music in service of the liturgy. I really appreciate all those who are so generous in their service of leadership in music ministry. And I invite parishioners with even the most humble musical gifts to consider becoming part of music ministry. Andrew and Chiara Schaper are the coordinators for music ministry. Please contact them to discuss what role you could play in our music ministry.

So, all that is a prelude to simply introducing the texts of the Entrance Antiphons for Advent. Some might remember these before the new rites were introduced. Many of the themes and ideas of these antiphons are used in some of the music composed in recent years. Throughout the history of their use in the Roman Rite, their message has shaped how we celebrate Advent, and prepare for the coming of the Lord.

Ad Te Levavi:  The First Sunday of Advent is based on Psalm 25 (24 in traditional numbering). 

To you, I lift up my soul, O my God.
In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame.
Nor let my enemies exult over me;
and let none who hope in you be put to shame. 
 
Given the strong thematic elements of the readings for the First Sunday of Advent centered around the Second Coming and the Day of Judgment, the Church surprises us with a simple statement of trust, but with a good hint of bargaining with God. As with many of the psalms, there is implied a continuing conversation with God in the prayer. “God, I am putting my hope on you. Don’t embarrass me in front of my enemies. You wouldn’t want to see them laughing at my misplaced trust.” This antiphon examines the very real and personal consequences for the one who is waiting for the Lord who seems to be taking His time. It captures perfectly the manner in which the Advent antiphons focus on the human emotional experience of watching and waiting. 

Populus Sion:  Isaiah 30 is the source for the Second Sunday of Advent.
 
O people of Sion, behold,
the Lord will come to save the nations,
and the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard
in the joy of your heart.

This antiphon demonstrates the particular flavor of Advent penitence. The Gospel that will be proclaimed shortly thereafter is the sobering call of John the Baptist to turn away from sin and evil. The hard work of repentance, of straightening out that which sin has made crooked, is a necessary part of Advent. That is why we will have a communal reconciliation service next Sunday. But repentance is just the first step to salvation. The Entrance Antiphon introduces the Advent theme that is first and foremost:  our joy when the Lord comes. Universal joy and gladness. Sometimes our hopes are just too small. This antiphon suggests we hope bigger.

Gaudete in Domino semper:  Philippians 4 gives us the most familiar of the Advent antiphons. 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.
Indeed, the Lord is near.

Why the pink (liturgically known as “rose”)? This antiphon says it all. There is so much more to the Third Sunday of Advent than a break from the purple (liturgically known as “violet”). Back in the day, simplicity in food, drink, and music—sacrifice isn’t only for Lent—was much more noticeable. Typically the organ was silenced during Advent. Even today the rule is that instruments should only be used to support singing with no organ or other instrumental pieces. On the Third Sunday of Advent, the rose reminds us that joy in meeting the Lord is one of the most important goals of the season. Think of chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke and the parables of joy at finding what is lost. If God is joyful at the salvation of the lost, then we too will know the joy we long for in every encounter with the Lord. Rejoice always?  We are familiar with the recommendation to pray always. Is constant joy even possible? This antiphon seems to say yes!

Rorate, cæli, desuper:  The Fourth Sunday’s antiphon from Isaiah 45 is a perfect expression of how the Advent Season’s themes are literally rooted in the human experience.

Drop down dew from above, ye heavens,
and let the clouds rain down the Just One;
let the earth be opened and bring forth a Savior.

I often think that there is a kind of bait and switch going on in Advent. Well, more like a carrot and stick, with the stick coming first and the carrot at the end. So we start out with a terrifying look at the end that comes to all things, and to each of us. But Advent is at its heart preparing to celebrate with joy the Incarnation. That most clearly is represented by Christmas. But it is much more than just celebrating the birth of Christ. This Sunday’s antiphon gives us an image we can understand. God comes forth from the stuff of the earth just as surely as a plant springs out of the ground. We are invited to consider the Incarnation of Christ as more than just the Son of God coming in the flesh. The true goal of the Incarnation is to redeem all things. And this earthy image reminds us again at how universal in hope our desire for redemption truly is. Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us.