Setting Our Hearts Aflame
Just Sing!
Sing, sing a song. Make it simple to last your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear…Just sing, sing a song. -The Carpenters
One of God’s gifts to us is the appreciation of music and sound. We listen to the rustling of fall leaves, the gentle surf against the shore, children laughing and playing on a summer’s day. We tune in to radios, IPods, and go to rock concerts and symphonies… and, how many of us sing our favorite songs in the shower or car? How do you feel when you are singing? You are filled with joy!
This past weekend, I looked around the Church during Mass and wondered why very few Catholics sing. Why do we sing everywhere but in Church? Psalm 100 calls us to “come before the LORD with joyful song.” At Communion time we are to proceed to the altar in song, in joyful anticipation of receiving our Lord. But…You will find very few singing.
The very early Church incorporated song into every Mass (Don’t forget the Book of Psalms are in actuality a collection of songs.) As the Church grew, and cathedrals replaced the simple home churches of St. Paul, choirs were formed by religious brothers and very soon the average parishioner became a listener of song rather than a participant. The reforms of Vatican II sought to bring back the participation of church-goers in song. These reforms were put into place 44 years ago. (So why aren’t YOU singing!!!)
This month, when you attend Mass, try singing joyfully to the Lord. Open up those hymnals and truly read and hear the words. Let the lyrics flow into your heart. Start by humming along if you are shy. God will appreciate your voice and your efforts and will reward you with joy. I guarantee it!
God Bless, Holly Clark
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
From Earth to God or God to Earth?
January 23, 2010
From Earth to God or God to Earth?
Last Friday, at about 4:30 p.m., I walked out of the office to go home. Very often God blesses me with a beautiful sunset. On this day the sunset was subtly pink at the horizon, pretty but not overly spectacular. As I travelled to my car something caught my eye. On the horizon the pink had grown in the sky a bit and in the center of the horizon was a single column of hot reddish pink jetting straight up from the ground to the sky, no other streaks of color except for this one column headed straight to the heavens. I drove home a different way so I could stay focused on this beam of light and as I drove along I observed many people pausing, with cell cameras in hand, to observe and praise God’s handiwork.
At the time I was reminded of the old Batman series when a beam of light directed at the moon would summon Batman. As I looked up at the sky I half expected to see a big “G” or perhaps a “J” at the end of the column of light as we summon God and Jesus to our aid. While the column of light seemed to be coming from the earth to God I think more likely God was directing the light from above. It is God trying to get our attention through the beauty of the evening sky. God is reminding us that He sent His light down to earth in His Son, Jesus.
As I read today’s Gospel, Matthew states, “…the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light…” (Mt 4:16) I know I am no longer sitting in darkness for I have seen a great light. We do not always see the Light of Christ. Sometimes it is hidden and we have to look for it but at other times (as through sunsets) it plops right in front of your face! This week let us no longer sit in darkness. Let us look for the Light of Christ in the sky, on the earth and in one another.
God Bless, Holly Clark
From Earth to God or God to Earth?
Last Friday, at about 4:30 p.m., I walked out of the office to go home. Very often God blesses me with a beautiful sunset. On this day the sunset was subtly pink at the horizon, pretty but not overly spectacular. As I travelled to my car something caught my eye. On the horizon the pink had grown in the sky a bit and in the center of the horizon was a single column of hot reddish pink jetting straight up from the ground to the sky, no other streaks of color except for this one column headed straight to the heavens. I drove home a different way so I could stay focused on this beam of light and as I drove along I observed many people pausing, with cell cameras in hand, to observe and praise God’s handiwork.
At the time I was reminded of the old Batman series when a beam of light directed at the moon would summon Batman. As I looked up at the sky I half expected to see a big “G” or perhaps a “J” at the end of the column of light as we summon God and Jesus to our aid. While the column of light seemed to be coming from the earth to God I think more likely God was directing the light from above. It is God trying to get our attention through the beauty of the evening sky. God is reminding us that He sent His light down to earth in His Son, Jesus.
As I read today’s Gospel, Matthew states, “…the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light…” (Mt 4:16) I know I am no longer sitting in darkness for I have seen a great light. We do not always see the Light of Christ. Sometimes it is hidden and we have to look for it but at other times (as through sunsets) it plops right in front of your face! This week let us no longer sit in darkness. Let us look for the Light of Christ in the sky, on the earth and in one another.
God Bless, Holly Clark
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
A Look to the Psalms
January 16
A Look to the Psalms
I waited, waited for the LORD; who bent down and heard my cry, Drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp, Set my feet upon rock, steadied my steps
- Ps 40:2-3
Oh how often have I waited for the Lord to bend down to me and take my hand, to draw me out of the not so happy times of my life! We all have times in our lives that we feel lost and abandoned. Throughout history, men and women have fallen into the depths of despair and may have felt God had abandoned them. The Psalms often express our cries of despair, feelings of abandonment and loneliness when life troubles us and we are blind to God’s presence.
Today I encourage you to look at Psalm 40, the Psalm for today. Get your Bible (or web printout!!!) and really look at the words. Let the words flow through you. Feel the pain of the psalmist and let your pains and emotions flow through to God. And then listen. Listen to your heart, listen for God. When we read and pray the Psalms we are in conversation with God. We cry out to Him and He hears our cry. He never abandons us. He will take your hand and pull you out of the swamp… He will put you back on solid ground, solid rock… He will steady your steps…and… He will love you always.
Though I am afflicted and poor, the Lord keeps me in mind.
Ps 40:18
God Bless, Holly Clark
A Look to the Psalms
I waited, waited for the LORD; who bent down and heard my cry, Drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp, Set my feet upon rock, steadied my steps
- Ps 40:2-3
Oh how often have I waited for the Lord to bend down to me and take my hand, to draw me out of the not so happy times of my life! We all have times in our lives that we feel lost and abandoned. Throughout history, men and women have fallen into the depths of despair and may have felt God had abandoned them. The Psalms often express our cries of despair, feelings of abandonment and loneliness when life troubles us and we are blind to God’s presence.
Today I encourage you to look at Psalm 40, the Psalm for today. Get your Bible (or web printout!!!) and really look at the words. Let the words flow through you. Feel the pain of the psalmist and let your pains and emotions flow through to God. And then listen. Listen to your heart, listen for God. When we read and pray the Psalms we are in conversation with God. We cry out to Him and He hears our cry. He never abandons us. He will take your hand and pull you out of the swamp… He will put you back on solid ground, solid rock… He will steady your steps…and… He will love you always.
Though I am afflicted and poor, the Lord keeps me in mind.
Ps 40:18
God Bless, Holly Clark
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Ice Palace
January 9, 2011
The Ice Palace
Winter has barely begun and we are already grumbling at the icy parking lots, un-cleared sidewalks, and scraping car windows. We are already longing for the warmth of spring. The other morning I started out to my car to come to work and discovered yet again I needed to scrape off my windshield. I became really stubborn and decided to just sit and wait while the defroster cleared my windshield. I just sat there cold and frustrated, wondering how many more times I’d have to do this, this winter. But then, the sun came up over the horizon and started peeking through the trees. Suddenly I was illuminated in light! The sun came through my car windows and illuminated each and every ice crystal. Every crystal refracted a bit of a rainbow. I was surrounded by joy and quickly regretted turning on the defroster! I was in an ice palace, created in love by God.
Every day we come across many things that frustrate us, anger us and perhaps even depress us. God does take notice and will often send some indication that He is near and to fear not. But it takes a bit of work on our part too. We need to be open to seeing God in unusual and unexpected places. We need to still our minds to hear God’s voice. We need to look for the rainbows that surround us daily. This week toss out frustration and anger and look for joy instead… it is there… I promise!
God Bless, Holly Clark
The Ice Palace
Winter has barely begun and we are already grumbling at the icy parking lots, un-cleared sidewalks, and scraping car windows. We are already longing for the warmth of spring. The other morning I started out to my car to come to work and discovered yet again I needed to scrape off my windshield. I became really stubborn and decided to just sit and wait while the defroster cleared my windshield. I just sat there cold and frustrated, wondering how many more times I’d have to do this, this winter. But then, the sun came up over the horizon and started peeking through the trees. Suddenly I was illuminated in light! The sun came through my car windows and illuminated each and every ice crystal. Every crystal refracted a bit of a rainbow. I was surrounded by joy and quickly regretted turning on the defroster! I was in an ice palace, created in love by God.
Every day we come across many things that frustrate us, anger us and perhaps even depress us. God does take notice and will often send some indication that He is near and to fear not. But it takes a bit of work on our part too. We need to be open to seeing God in unusual and unexpected places. We need to still our minds to hear God’s voice. We need to look for the rainbows that surround us daily. This week toss out frustration and anger and look for joy instead… it is there… I promise!
God Bless, Holly Clark
What's Your Story
January 2, 2011
What’s Your Story?
Everyone has a story to tell… from the tiniest of babes to our elders. Have you ever stopped and looked around in a crowd and try to imagine what stories people would tell you if given the chance? Long before the written word people were telling stories to one another. People would gather around the fire and share their lives. We have lost something in the last ten years or so as technology is threatening to over-run us. Nowadays we share only brief tidbits of ourselves via e-mail, texting, Facebook and Twitter. Our brains are being rewired to think, converse and listen in brief tidbits. When was the last time you sat down and truly listened to another person’s “story” without thinking of your to-do list or trying to multi-task (or rather ‘multi-think’)? Everyone has a story…
One time, in my twenties, I was taking a tour of the Canadian Rockies and was travelling solo on a bus/train tour. I befriended three elderly ladies from New Mexico. They were gracious enough to invite me to dine with them at meals and I found them to be fascinating company. You see, they had a story to tell… It would have been very easy to ignore these three ladies and find people my own age but I felt it was important to listen to their stories and was glad I did. These three ladies were married (now widowed) to nuclear scientists who lived and worked at Los Alamos on the first atomic bomb. They told me stories of what their lives were like and how proud they were to be a part of the project. These ladies taught me that everyone has a story. I often think of them when I see older people on the street and wonder what tales they would like to tell us, if given the chance.
In this New Year, let us be mindful of others stories and listen attentively. (Yes! Even when Uncle Joe tells the “how I survived the Great Depression story” for the millionth time!) Let us give one another the opportunity to share our stories and our faith just as God shares with us, and listens to us, every day of our lives. Let us turn to each other now and ask “What’s your story?”
God Bless, Holly Clark
Everyone has a story to tell… from the tiniest of babes to our elders. Have you ever stopped and looked around in a crowd and try to imagine what stories people would tell you if given the chance? Long before the written word people were telling stories to one another. People would gather around the fire and share their lives. We have lost something in the last ten years or so as technology is threatening to over-run us. Nowadays we share only brief tidbits of ourselves via e-mail, texting, Facebook and Twitter. Our brains are being rewired to think, converse and listen in brief tidbits. When was the last time you sat down and truly listened to another person’s “story” without thinking of your to-do list or trying to multi-task (or rather ‘multi-think’)? Everyone has a story…
One time, in my twenties, I was taking a tour of the Canadian Rockies and was travelling solo on a bus/train tour. I befriended three elderly ladies from New Mexico. They were gracious enough to invite me to dine with them at meals and I found them to be fascinating company. You see, they had a story to tell… It would have been very easy to ignore these three ladies and find people my own age but I felt it was important to listen to their stories and was glad I did. These three ladies were married (now widowed) to nuclear scientists who lived and worked at Los Alamos on the first atomic bomb. They told me stories of what their lives were like and how proud they were to be a part of the project. These ladies taught me that everyone has a story. I often think of them when I see older people on the street and wonder what tales they would like to tell us, if given the chance.
In this New Year, let us be mindful of others stories and listen attentively. (Yes! Even when Uncle Joe tells the “how I survived the Great Depression story” for the millionth time!) Let us give one another the opportunity to share our stories and our faith just as God shares with us, and listens to us, every day of our lives. Let us turn to each other now and ask “What’s your story?”
God Bless, Holly Clark
Happy New Year!
December 26, 2010
Happy New Year!
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another… Col 3:12-13
Today’s opening verses from the second reading seem like the perfect way to begin a new year! (Doesn’t this sound like a New Year’s Resolution?) Imagine what the world would be like if each and everyone of us–Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, etc.–were to make a vow to be compassionate and patient with one another! As with all New Year’s Resolutions, this is a lofty goal but perhaps near difficult to sustain for long. We slowly revert back to our old ways. Think back to the last time you able to keep a New Year’s Resolution and how easy it was (or not) to keep up the momentum. Think back and examine what went wrong… Did you not have the willpower, the patience or the energy to fulfill your goals? How do you plan to keep your resolutions this year?
Paul gives us, in verses that precede and follow today’s reading, a good guide to follow: put away anger, fury and take off the old self and put on kindness, compassion, forgiveness and above all else put on love. Again this all feels like one big New Year’s Resolution! But Paul also tells us in this reading how we can keep these resolutions and our private ones: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” Paul is telling us we do not need to be perfect as long as we allow Christ into our lives and let Him guide us in our quest to better ourselves.
In this new year, let us allow ourselves to hear God’s Word, to feel God’s Word and to rely on God’s Word. Make it a resolution to not rely on yourself totally to keep your resolutions but ask for Jesus’ help. Pick up the Gospel and read it when you need encouragement and wisdom. Let the Word of God flow through you and soon you will find a renewed sense of strength and of self. You may even find, a year from now, that you were able to keep all your resolutions with Jesus at your side.
Blessings to you in the New Year, Holly Clark
Happy New Year!
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another… Col 3:12-13
Today’s opening verses from the second reading seem like the perfect way to begin a new year! (Doesn’t this sound like a New Year’s Resolution?) Imagine what the world would be like if each and everyone of us–Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, etc.–were to make a vow to be compassionate and patient with one another! As with all New Year’s Resolutions, this is a lofty goal but perhaps near difficult to sustain for long. We slowly revert back to our old ways. Think back to the last time you able to keep a New Year’s Resolution and how easy it was (or not) to keep up the momentum. Think back and examine what went wrong… Did you not have the willpower, the patience or the energy to fulfill your goals? How do you plan to keep your resolutions this year?
Paul gives us, in verses that precede and follow today’s reading, a good guide to follow: put away anger, fury and take off the old self and put on kindness, compassion, forgiveness and above all else put on love. Again this all feels like one big New Year’s Resolution! But Paul also tells us in this reading how we can keep these resolutions and our private ones: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” Paul is telling us we do not need to be perfect as long as we allow Christ into our lives and let Him guide us in our quest to better ourselves.
In this new year, let us allow ourselves to hear God’s Word, to feel God’s Word and to rely on God’s Word. Make it a resolution to not rely on yourself totally to keep your resolutions but ask for Jesus’ help. Pick up the Gospel and read it when you need encouragement and wisdom. Let the Word of God flow through you and soon you will find a renewed sense of strength and of self. You may even find, a year from now, that you were able to keep all your resolutions with Jesus at your side.
Blessings to you in the New Year, Holly Clark
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