THE WORD AMONG US MEDITATION ON THE MASS READINGS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2013, 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME Meditation: Colossians 3:12-17 … Singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16) After years of ministry that included hardship and persecution, Paul again found himself imprisoned, his fate uncertain. But far from sinking into despair or self-pity, Paul turned his attention toward the young Colossian Church. This was the time, he told them, to praise the Lord! Doesn’t this sound illogical? Who really thinks that joy-filled singing is the right response to arrest and imprisonment? Who really thinks it’s a good idea when your Church is facing the threat of division from within and false teaching from without? Paul does, that’s who! This is a message for us as well. In fact, we should be singing and worshipping at all times. Why? Because no matter what is happening right now, three things never change: our heavenly Father loves us, Jesus has redeemed us, and his Spirit lives in us. “But what if I don’t feel like singing? What if I’m not a demonstrative person?” Well, think of it this way. What mother feels like singing to her distressed child in the middle of the night? Yet she does it, and by making that choice, her song is an even greater gift of love. In the same way, we can sing and worship the Lord despite our feelings or inclinations. Not only do a mother’s lullabies soothe her baby, they also help her to deepen her love and dedication to her child. Similarly, our praise and worship not only glorify God, they help build a strong foundation in our hearts and minds! There are many ways to praise the Lord—and some are especially helpful if you don’t “feel” like it! You can use the words of many of the psalms. Read them out loud, and proclaim them as true. Or you can sing your favorite hymns from Mass—hymns that speak of God’s love and salvation. Or you can write your own prayers of praise and gratitude, recalling all that God has done for you. Whatever you choose, remember that God is near to you, and he is very good. Worship, especially when it is a concrete decision, has the power to open prison doors and bring you into his very presence. “Father, teach me to sing your praises no matter what my circumstances are. I know your love will never fail!” Psalm 150:1-6; Luke 6:27-38
Posted on: Thu, 12 Sep 2013 03:47:58 +0000
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