I haven’t been up to posting much lately (occipital neuralgia has been kicking my butt)but this one I had to reblog. It’s from one of my favorite writers, James Martin SJ, and it’s about what God’s love is like. Unconditional. Tender. And beyond our wildest dreams. This love is reflected in certain people, like Mother Teresa, Francis of Assisi, Dorothy Day…and Pope Francis.
All I can say, as a practicing Catholic, is, Wow. Pope Francis is a true pastor at heart, “eager to love and be loved” as Fr. James Martin writes. And the fact is, he didn’t say anything out of line with the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. I see more of a change in emphasis than doctrine. If you see the Catholic Church as a community of pilgrims seeking “an invitation to encounter a person: Jesus Christ“, well then, you might hear hints of “aggiornamento” and St. Pope John XXIII (not to mention St. Francis of Assisi). I certainly do.
You know how sometimes you just want to have a hymn sing?
Well, today is that day.
Share with the group five favorite hymns or praise songs or songs that bring you close to the Spirit (that’s a pretty wide net!) and why they are special to you.
Bonus if you can share Youtube videos or audio files of one or two or more.
Well, okay, here are my efforts. It will take the workings of the Holy Spirit for me to manage the media aspect of this…
3. Be Not Afraid. I’ve sung this in the shower, in the hospital, at my dad’s funeral. It comforts me whenever I feel scared and alone, or sad and grieving.
4. Hymn Tune Thaxted/O God Beyond All Praising. Bittersweet. My wedding processional, and my beloved friend Emilie’s funeral processional.
5. Holy God We Praise They Name. Every time I sing this, I go straight back to childhood, sitting between my parents at Incarnation Church during mass. Classic.
I can’t stop at five, though. so this will be my Friday Eight!
6.For All the Saints. Another classic. I choose this one for my mom’s funeral, appropriately enough, I still think.
7. All Creatures of Our God and King. Based on the poetry of St. Francis of Assisi. (Recessional at mom’s funeral. She loved St. Francis!)
8. And, of course, my Grandma’ Resch’s favorite: How Great Thou Art.
Chronic Grace 