The Holy Scripture has it roots in the People of Israel songs. The first writings of the Old Testament were not about the history of the people, but their songs of victory and praise to Yawveh: "the God of their people and their fathers." Israel, as many countries of the ancient time, carved their feelings mainly in two art forms: music & poetry. The last one is often included on the first one, which is expressed in its most artistic and beautiful form in the book of Psalms, which is the people Hymn book. The book where they express their feelings, fears, faith, hope, and joys.

All the story of Israel have been told through songs. We see Moses singing the victorious song after the liberation of his people (Ex. 15,1-21). They have a real experience of salvation and knowledge of God. The encountering took them to declare, in the most beautiful way, the experience of liberation that it is sing throughout the ages; because the best lyrics are those about of what we have lived.

In the early liturgy, the hymns had a fundamental importance, because they were seen as a teaching method by which the lyrics of the song remains etched profoundly in our minds and hearts. Since then, the songs are vehicles of evangelization, teaching, and proclamation of the faith.

The Church is a community that sings. From the beginning, we have an example in Jesus singing the hymns of his people on the Passover, when he made his "last supper" (Mk. 14,26). After Him, the Apostles practice it too: Paul, in his letters, frequently recommends and invites us to participate in the songs inspired by the Holy Spirit in the midst of the assembly (Eph. 5,19). Music has such a strong power that it was capable to release Paul and Silas from the prison (Acts 16,25).

The Church in all ages continuously sings for everything. We sing to the Glory of God as an echo of the angels where they proclaim the "Glory to God in the Highest" that announced the birth of our Savior. Also, we sing to our faith, like in the Creed, where the Body of Christ express what they believe, what they live and hope. Faith is something so beautiful, that not only should be proclaimed orally, but also be sing out loud. We show our true feeling this way.

The Church also sings their sorrow, and to ask forgiveness for our transgressions to our Father God. We sing this in the liturgy with the Lord have Mercy.

The life of Jesus is something to sing about. In the early church, the Gospel was not read but sung by the Priest. Little remains today from those beautiful customs. The Word of God that it is not spoken, is like a flame with no warmth. The liturgic celebration that has no songs and music is like a tree that bears no fruit. It lacks something special and essential. The Gospel must be sing: like those troubadours in the Middle Age that sing from town to town the important and extraordinary events of their kingdoms. The Gospel should be proclaimed the same by way of music. The Good News will penetrate greater in the minds and hearts of those who listens the message.

The Holy Mass gives us over fifteen opportunities to sing. The congregation unites in one voice to proclaim God, who gave us His only Son for love in holy sacrifice, and to joyfully praise His glorious resurrection.

A ministry is a service to the community. Those who has the gift of music should make others who does not have it, sing along with them. They should concord all the people to praise the Lord through music, not only with words confined to the mind and heart. The difference between a choir and a Music Ministry, is that we go to see the choir perform, while the music ministry make us want to sing.

The music should renew us, make us declare our faith, our hopes, express our feelings, sorrows and joys, our will to repent and turn our eyes towards God.

Original article by José H. Prado Flores (Pepe). Pepe is a renowned spoke person in the Hispanic community. He lives in Guadalajara, México with his wonderful wife Susy and their four beautiful children.