The Power of Music

By Erin Newton

Music has a unique power to make us experience something we can’t experience with anything else. Music has the power to bring us into the spaces we are in more deeply and experience emotions more intensely.

In Mass, music is part of the liturgy, and when done well, can make us feel the presence of God. We can feel Him move us. On the way home, the music on the radio keeps us company, setting the mood or allowing us to drown in our sorrow. When else do we listen to music and how is it our companion?

Importantly, while the beat and melody draw us in, we should always be mindful of what the words say. Given that music is so powerful, we should be conscious of the words we listen to because part of the reason music has this power is because words have power, those repeated phrases and lines in the song or when the song itself is replayed. Hearing these repeatedly can slowly influence the way we think, the way we speak and the way we act.

My message today is to remind you to be more mindful of the music you listen to. Listen to things that are healthy for your mind and life. I also encourage you to take time to allow the music around us to engulf, uplift and transform you.

After all, we do have two ears and music was made to be enjoyed!