Make a Joyful Noise...

Psalm 100:1 of the New American Standard Bible says: "Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth."  In other translations it says:  "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth."

But what does it mean to "shout joyfully" or "make a joyful noise" during Mass?

In the CNP Feedback section of the CanticaNOVA Publications web site, there are several questions regarding Catholic liturgical music.  These questions and the responses from the web site creators inspired me to reflect and pray on this.  I have discovered that the Catholic Church, indeed, has rules about music that is allowed during the Mass.  And those rules are apparently so strict that there is great debate about them, with even popes weighing in over time.  Some people would love to go back to more Latin in the Mass, with more chanting and such.  Others are calling for contemporary Christian music to have a place in the Mass.  It seems that the debate is really about what constitutes the "joy" mentioned in Psalm 100.

I am called to address this issue--it has been weighing on my heart for several days now.  And I have a solution to end the debate:  "praise and worship" combination services for Catholics.

It's risky to suggest, I know.  But how far are we from that, really, in terms of music?  Why can we not have some Masses, with traditional (and "approved") liturgical music, combined with "praise music," or Masses with "praise music" sung pre- and/or post-assembly??

So many people would be drawn to the Lord as Catholics with the addition of "praise and worship" music common in many Protestant churches.  As long as we are lifting our voices in song, and pouring our hearts and souls into it, and being drawn closer to Christ by it, what difference does it make if we are attempting Gregorian chant or jamming with guitars and drums and trumpets or even rapping?  All Christian music is for the Lord; all of it is sung to praise Him, regardless of personal taste.  Why must even one of the purest forms of praise divide the Body of Christ?

I'm frustrated and almost angered by this...I will keep praying on it--and secretly wishing I could also go to Wednesday night worship at the local, music-heavy non-denominational church.  I just want nothing more than to make a joyful noise...