I’ve been very reflective
this week with everything that has been going on in our country. This week we
remember the 40th anniversary of a decision that has changed our
country and hurt many people. We remember a man who fought for equality and an end
to racism that we still experience today under different forms, and we had the
inauguration of a president who has begun to stir up people within the Catholic
Church. At times it seems almost easier to run and hide than stand and face the
struggle ahead of us. I can honestly say
that music, besides prayer and fasting, has been a huge help and consolation to
my heart. When I listen to music, I can
feel a stirring within my heart and soul, a desire that cannot be quenched for
the New Evangelization. It continues to
fuel the fire in my heart for souls! These lyrics give me hope and keep me
searching for God in the smallest and most unexpected places. And I love
finding Him in the most unexpected places!
This Sunday the First
Reading from the Liturgy of the Word is from Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6,
8-10). In the reading Nehemiah reads to
the people the book of the law. When he
was done he spoke to them and said, “’Today is holy to the LORD your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep’—for all the people
were weeping as they heard the words of the law. He said further: ‘Go, eat rich
foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing
prepared; for today is holy to our LORD.
Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your
strength!”’” (Nehemiah 8:8-10) How
appropriate for our world today. The Israelites were saddened upon hearing the
book of the law because it reminded them of their unfaithfulness but Ezra
encouraged them in the end saying that their “rejoicing in the LORD must be
[their] strength.” The same goes for us.
Even when see or experience unfaithfulness in our world, our strength must be
found in our rejoicing in the Lord. We
must rejoice that even when we are unfaithful He remains faithful! We must
rejoice in His love and mercy! That is why I find it hard not to praise God in
times of struggle or hardship because I know that without His love and mercy,
the struggle would be much greater!
Let us take the time this
week to praise God. Let us praise Him
for all we have, for our joys and sorrows, for the ways He makes His presence
known to us and for the ways He allows us to find him in the most unexpected
places. I would encourage you to do this
through song. St. Augustine says that
when we sing, we pray twice. Let us
offer up to God double the praise through song!
“Bless the Lord, O my
soul, O my soul. Worship His Holy Name! Sing like never before, O my soul, I
worship Your Holy Name!” (from 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman)
Written by Alycia
