I know that I am called to what I do. I know that liturgical ministry belongs to me, and is not Father s domain alone. N.J. We have lost a sense of the meaning of ritual dialogue and action, and we seem to have given up on finding appropriate ways to voice our affirmation of one another. If we feel a need to express our joy in our celebration of liturgy, acclamatory song is by far a more appropriate means than applause. When we raise our voices in song, we praise God for the gift of community, for the joy of being together and in gratitude for the liturgy we celebrate.
Applause seems a rather poor substitute.
Sometimes it s quite perfunctory, even tepid. But it s always there. People applaud simply because they really liked the music, especially when they participated well themselves. And I agree that it becomes socially conditioned after a while. Music at Mass is partly a performance.