Today’s offertory anthem is by English composer, William Boyce. You may not have heard of him, but he was a relatively well-known organist and composer of his day. Today we’re singing his “Alleluia Round,” arranged by Richard Proulx, a well-known composer of our time who spent most of his career as the director of music at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.

There are a couple of things to pay attention to in this wonderful gem. First off, it’s a round, meaning that it is a single melody that if sung at different times with itself, creates colorful harmony. In many ways a round represents the truth of life. Even though it appears as an individual melody, when put together with itself at different times, it fits in perfect union. Isn’t that funny? We perceive so-called differences all around us, but the truth is – it all fits together in perfect union. The world may seem cacophonous and different, but it’s all working in perfect union with God. Secondly, this piece only contains one word that repeats over and over again – “Alleluia.”

In this seemingly simple piece, we have a single melody, sung at different times, but in harmony, going round and round, in cacophonous harmony. Using the words “cacophonous harmony” seems like a paradox, but really, it’s not – it’s the union of the seeming differences in the world we live in. The mind might see divisions that way, but it’s all one, glorious singleness expressing itself as multiplicity.

What a wonderful thing, the word “Alleluia!” Alleluia means “praise the Lord,” but what does “praise the Lord mean?” It’s hard to say, but my point is that words are just words unless they touch your soul. Good words point us towards inner truth. Alleluia points us towards inner joy, a real energy boost if you are open to letting it in. Besides, isn’t it just fun to say “ALLELUIA!” The vowels fit the mouth so well, and there’s a certain ring to it. The word itself has a built-in energy booster. So why not make it a mantra? It’s so much better than most of the negative garbage that saturates the human mind!

Let this Alleluia Round bathe you in delight. It doesn’t have to mean anything literally, it can just be medicine for your soul, like the flowers on the altar. You don’t need to identify the colors or the types, just let them bring you to wonderment and effervescence and allow them to uplift your weary soul. Repetitious, positive words can heal you, pick you up, and help you transcend difficulty! That’s what all of this is about, so sit back, relax and luxuriate in the oneness of it all. The world around you may be crumbling or it may be thriving. But there’s no reason why we can’t suspend it all, and let the Alleluias go round and round in the harmony of God’s unified presence, living among us, right here and right now. Soli deo Gloria!