The homily just finished. What is your first thought? It could be any number of reactions:
-'Finally done!'
-'Well said.'
-'Took long enough.'
-'Hmm, well it's 10:50 now, so we should be out of here in time for . . . '
-'Excellent topic - I wish so-and-so would have been here to hear this.'
-'Let's see what the song will be for presentation.'
-'Better hurry up and find the words of the Creed.'
Hopefully, these are rare responses to the homily, because our response should be to internalize the message. Whether you have some moments of silence immediately after the homily, or whether you take time to reflect after Mass or as you return home, we are called to ponder what we heard. We must consider the homily as the opportunity to delve deeper into the Liturgy of the Word. Hopefully, we are in the habit of preparing before Mass, including reading the Scripture. If so, we can more easily connect the points of the homily to the message of Jesus. Ultimately, the homily calls us to reflect on our lives and to act according to Jesus' teachings. So, unlike attending a lecture or business presentation, we are to respond honestly to what we heard.
Challenge - the next time you are at Mass and the homily has just ended, focus on one thing you heard. How can you incorporate that into your life? How are you doing in regards to Jesus' teaching? Is that an area that needs some attention? Be honest.
Prayer - I am a work in progress, and I am often challenged by my wandering mind. Help me to focus on the message You have for me. I want to be attentive and open to Your Word.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Chasms
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092913.cfm
Quick recap:
1st reading - Amos - Amos is still calling the Israelites to shape up - they create their own peril by ignoring those in need.
Psalm 146 - Praise God, who is just to those in need; He will not forsake them.
Epistle - 1 Timothy - 'Compete well for the faith'
Gospel - Luke 16 - Rich man and Lazarus
The biggest thing that struck me in our bible study conversations was that the rich man was not a 'bad' man. He was not cruel, and being rich didn't make him bad. His sin was the absence of compassion; he ignored Lazarus at his door. What a different story could have been if the rich man had responded like the Good Samaritan! As Abraham reminds the rich man, their were ample opportunities to learn from Scripture on how to act. Another point that caught my attention had to do with the chasm referenced in the Gospel. How we live now, on earth, is how we will live in eternity:
Challenge - the rich man experienced a change of heart only after he died. How can I soften my heart and open my eyes to the needs of those around me?
Prayer - Lord, You have commanded me to love my neighbor. Help me to understand that this is bigger than the person who lives next door. Open my eyes to see the opportunities I have to show compassion and love to Your children.
Quick recap:
1st reading - Amos - Amos is still calling the Israelites to shape up - they create their own peril by ignoring those in need.
Psalm 146 - Praise God, who is just to those in need; He will not forsake them.
Epistle - 1 Timothy - 'Compete well for the faith'
Gospel - Luke 16 - Rich man and Lazarus
The biggest thing that struck me in our bible study conversations was that the rich man was not a 'bad' man. He was not cruel, and being rich didn't make him bad. His sin was the absence of compassion; he ignored Lazarus at his door. What a different story could have been if the rich man had responded like the Good Samaritan! As Abraham reminds the rich man, their were ample opportunities to learn from Scripture on how to act. Another point that caught my attention had to do with the chasm referenced in the Gospel. How we live now, on earth, is how we will live in eternity:
"The present moment is amplified in eternity. Ultimately, how we live both now and in eternity is our choice. God makes good (or bad) on our choice!" Living Liturgy 2013The reflections went on to say that it is easy to talk about the poor and starving in abstract terms, i.e. someone should do something about hunger in our world. We make this out as a problem beyond our reach, when we can serve the poor and hungry at our door. Now, they may not be right on our front step, but we cannot ignore the needs that exist right here. I can make a difference. I have a duty to support the Lazarus figures in my life. Not simply to follow the letter of the law, but because I am to love my neighbor. That means I must show compassion for all of God's people, and help when I can.
Challenge - the rich man experienced a change of heart only after he died. How can I soften my heart and open my eyes to the needs of those around me?
Prayer - Lord, You have commanded me to love my neighbor. Help me to understand that this is bigger than the person who lives next door. Open my eyes to see the opportunities I have to show compassion and love to Your children.
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Not of this world
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092213.cfm
Quick recap:
1st Reading - Amos - The Lord will never forget our actions towards the poor.
Psalm 113 - God cares for the poor and lifts them up.
2nd Reading - 1 Timothy - peace is the way to live
Gosepl - Luke 16 - Dishonest, yet prudent, steward
It seems strange that Jesus would uphold the dishonest steward as worthy of note. Out of context, it seems backwards. But the lesson we are being taught is prudence. Jesus is probing into our lives, asking us to honestly consider our actions. When we have a situation that will profit us (monetarily, give us acclaim, increase our earnings or status, etc.), we are very prudent in our actions. To be prudent is to be careful in providing for the future. The steward, although dishonest, is covering his butt. He is making sure that when he is removed from his position, he has options. But Jesus reminds us that the steward is very shortsighted; while the steward is trying to prepare for his immediate future, he is not attending to his eternal future. In the same way, we are called to examine our lives - are we covering our 'earthly needs' or are we preparing for our 'eternal needs'.
Challenge - consider this: do I deal more kindly with strangers in business opportunities than I do with my own family? Am I preparing for my eternal future or am I focused solely on my earthly future?
Prayer - Lord, I want to be a good provider, and sometimes I get caught up in the earthly needs. Help me remember that everything I do should be done with my eternal goals in mind. I want to celebrate with you in Paradise, therefore, I can't be short-sighted in my goals. Gently nudge me back when I get too focused on earthly concerns.
Quick recap:
1st Reading - Amos - The Lord will never forget our actions towards the poor.
Psalm 113 - God cares for the poor and lifts them up.
2nd Reading - 1 Timothy - peace is the way to live
Gosepl - Luke 16 - Dishonest, yet prudent, steward
It seems strange that Jesus would uphold the dishonest steward as worthy of note. Out of context, it seems backwards. But the lesson we are being taught is prudence. Jesus is probing into our lives, asking us to honestly consider our actions. When we have a situation that will profit us (monetarily, give us acclaim, increase our earnings or status, etc.), we are very prudent in our actions. To be prudent is to be careful in providing for the future. The steward, although dishonest, is covering his butt. He is making sure that when he is removed from his position, he has options. But Jesus reminds us that the steward is very shortsighted; while the steward is trying to prepare for his immediate future, he is not attending to his eternal future. In the same way, we are called to examine our lives - are we covering our 'earthly needs' or are we preparing for our 'eternal needs'.
Challenge - consider this: do I deal more kindly with strangers in business opportunities than I do with my own family? Am I preparing for my eternal future or am I focused solely on my earthly future?
Prayer - Lord, I want to be a good provider, and sometimes I get caught up in the earthly needs. Help me remember that everything I do should be done with my eternal goals in mind. I want to celebrate with you in Paradise, therefore, I can't be short-sighted in my goals. Gently nudge me back when I get too focused on earthly concerns.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Gratitude
I just participated in an awesome celebration of thanksgiving, and I marvel at the blessings I have received. Tonight we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Catholic Newman Center at UNK (give or take a few years). We started our evening with Mass. It was a spirit-filled time, and while I may be rather biased, there was a lot of joyful noise happening, and it sounded great! The entire liturgy was as if time stood still. I was blown away by the participation of everyone present. I mentioned this to one of the students, and she reminded me that these people wanted to be there, so they were willing to participate. Good point. We followed our Eucharistic Meal with a delicious meal and great conversation. People spoke about the past, present, and future of the Newman Center, and it was all exciting. The atmosphere was charged and alive - the Spirit was a-movin'!
Prayer - Lord, thank you for those moments of awareness when I feel Heaven. While I know that faith is more than emotions, these glimpses of the Eternal Now just make me even more excited to live for You! Help me to keep on course, especially when I don't 'feel' like it.
Prayer - Lord, thank you for those moments of awareness when I feel Heaven. While I know that faith is more than emotions, these glimpses of the Eternal Now just make me even more excited to live for You! Help me to keep on course, especially when I don't 'feel' like it.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
When the lights went out
Okay - this isn't a dramatic story of a big ice storm or dangerous tornado. It's actually rather mundane, and that's why I think it's worth noting. Let me explain.
It was a Monday (in more ways than just the day of the week). It had been an extremely busy day at work, filled with lots of catching up and unexpected meetings that took time I needed to spend on other projects. I worked late, and just had the urge to go home and veg out. I even stopped to pick up some microwave popcorn, as I thought I 'deserved' a reward.
I came up to my driveway and hit my garage door button. Nothing. Okay, the button can be temperamental. Tried it again. Nope. Sitting in front of the garage door - definitely in range. Nada. So I get out, open the car door and unlock my people door to the garage. I've already started thinking about how this is an inconvenience, and tomorrow morning I'm going to have to put the door up from the inside, back out, go back in and put the door down, then go out through the people door. Well, I push the button inside the garage. Nothing. Now I'm really puzzled. I look up at the ceiling (you know, in case the garage door opener has a neon sign explaining why it won't cooperate), but don't see random pieces hanging at odd angles.
I get a bad feeling in my stomach, and I go to look at my freezer. No light. I look at the outlet where the freezer is plugged in. My mind must be playing tricks on me - if the freezer is plugged in, the light should be on. Then it sinks in - no power.
Great - just what I wanted after a crazy day. A day where I worked at not being stressed out, even with so many things needing my attention. I was good! I didn't get frustrated with co-workers, I tried to be gracious with interruptions, and this is the thanks I get? Not my finest response, but it was very human.
As I went to check out the breaker box (while still turning on light switches out of habit), I thought about all the things "I" planned to get done. None of them could be accomplished without electricity. This day was throwing more wrenches into my plans than I thought possible. Couldn't I get a break? I checked everything I knew to check, called in my outage, and then I called my sister. I wanted some advice and a ear for my whining. First things first - did I pay my electric bill? Ha ha. Not the response I was looking for. "Yes, I did," I responded. Next step - check with the neighbors. Yep - no power there either. I felt a little better. I wasn't in this alone. My sister is being a good listener, up until I complain that I can't do anything without electricity. As soon as I said it - I knew I left myself wide open for her next comment. I knew, I just knew that she would tell me I could always pray. She said, "Maybe God was trying to tell you something." Okay - here it comes, I should pray, I shouldn't complain, keep things in perspective, etc. But her next sentence wasn't what I expected.
"Maybe the electricity went out so you would call me and I could hear your voice on a Monday." Wait, what? Here I was all wrapped up in my 'problems', and my sister was just happy that I called her on a Monday (our typical day to talk is Wednesday). That threw me off. She was happy to hear from me. We shared our mutual 'case of the Mondays' stories, and I felt so much better. If the lights hadn't stopped working (along with every other electronic gadget in my home), I wouldn't have reached out to her and the chance for sharing each others burdens would have been missed.
I know, nothing earth-shattering about this story, and that's why it hits me even more. Life isn't point A to point B alone. It all the in-between stuff as well. Sometimes it's big and sometimes it's small. And sometimes it's dark, but that can be okay too :-)
Prayer - Lord, help me to shut off the distractions in my life. Sometimes I need a reminder that connecting with another person is more important than my to-do list. I have opportunities all around me, but I don't always take advantages of those times, especially when they are disguised as inconveniences or disruptions to my plans. Help me rely on Your plan and Your timing.
It was a Monday (in more ways than just the day of the week). It had been an extremely busy day at work, filled with lots of catching up and unexpected meetings that took time I needed to spend on other projects. I worked late, and just had the urge to go home and veg out. I even stopped to pick up some microwave popcorn, as I thought I 'deserved' a reward.
I came up to my driveway and hit my garage door button. Nothing. Okay, the button can be temperamental. Tried it again. Nope. Sitting in front of the garage door - definitely in range. Nada. So I get out, open the car door and unlock my people door to the garage. I've already started thinking about how this is an inconvenience, and tomorrow morning I'm going to have to put the door up from the inside, back out, go back in and put the door down, then go out through the people door. Well, I push the button inside the garage. Nothing. Now I'm really puzzled. I look up at the ceiling (you know, in case the garage door opener has a neon sign explaining why it won't cooperate), but don't see random pieces hanging at odd angles.
I get a bad feeling in my stomach, and I go to look at my freezer. No light. I look at the outlet where the freezer is plugged in. My mind must be playing tricks on me - if the freezer is plugged in, the light should be on. Then it sinks in - no power.
Great - just what I wanted after a crazy day. A day where I worked at not being stressed out, even with so many things needing my attention. I was good! I didn't get frustrated with co-workers, I tried to be gracious with interruptions, and this is the thanks I get? Not my finest response, but it was very human.
As I went to check out the breaker box (while still turning on light switches out of habit), I thought about all the things "I" planned to get done. None of them could be accomplished without electricity. This day was throwing more wrenches into my plans than I thought possible. Couldn't I get a break? I checked everything I knew to check, called in my outage, and then I called my sister. I wanted some advice and a ear for my whining. First things first - did I pay my electric bill? Ha ha. Not the response I was looking for. "Yes, I did," I responded. Next step - check with the neighbors. Yep - no power there either. I felt a little better. I wasn't in this alone. My sister is being a good listener, up until I complain that I can't do anything without electricity. As soon as I said it - I knew I left myself wide open for her next comment. I knew, I just knew that she would tell me I could always pray. She said, "Maybe God was trying to tell you something." Okay - here it comes, I should pray, I shouldn't complain, keep things in perspective, etc. But her next sentence wasn't what I expected.
"Maybe the electricity went out so you would call me and I could hear your voice on a Monday." Wait, what? Here I was all wrapped up in my 'problems', and my sister was just happy that I called her on a Monday (our typical day to talk is Wednesday). That threw me off. She was happy to hear from me. We shared our mutual 'case of the Mondays' stories, and I felt so much better. If the lights hadn't stopped working (along with every other electronic gadget in my home), I wouldn't have reached out to her and the chance for sharing each others burdens would have been missed.
I know, nothing earth-shattering about this story, and that's why it hits me even more. Life isn't point A to point B alone. It all the in-between stuff as well. Sometimes it's big and sometimes it's small. And sometimes it's dark, but that can be okay too :-)
Prayer - Lord, help me to shut off the distractions in my life. Sometimes I need a reminder that connecting with another person is more important than my to-do list. I have opportunities all around me, but I don't always take advantages of those times, especially when they are disguised as inconveniences or disruptions to my plans. Help me rely on Your plan and Your timing.
Monday, September 16, 2013
The grace of music - part 2
So, I was browsing a Catholic Devotional book, and came across a reflection that fit so perfectly with my music experience (read it here). The Scripture reference was the story of Mary and Martha from Luke's Gospel, and the author was focused on the comment from Jesus to Martha, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things." Luke 10:41
The author noted that while there are many distractions and worries in our lives, we will never regret time spent with Jesus. Just like Mary chose the better part, we must banish our anxious thoughts in order to be fully present (back to the full, active, conscious participation request) with God. Time spent with God is never wasted.
This makes me smile soooo much. How true it is! When I think I absolutely, positively, have no time to spare, that is when I MUST shift my priorities. With God first, there is room for everything else of importance. Do you know why? Because when God is first, nothing else is as important. And that is how it should be.
Challenge - Keep God first in everything. Take 15 minutes, 1 hour, an afternoon, or whatever chunk of time you can manage. Make God the priority all through that time. It will not be easy at first. Maybe you'll need to start small. But once you can put God first, everything else falls into place. My personal challenge is to follow that advice when nothing is going my way. That's worth bonus points!
Prayer - God, You know that I run in many distractions, chasing things that seem pressing. Help me to realize that the only real priority in my life is You. I seek Your guidance and grace to help me grow closer to You. I want the inner peace that comes from knowing You intimately.
The author noted that while there are many distractions and worries in our lives, we will never regret time spent with Jesus. Just like Mary chose the better part, we must banish our anxious thoughts in order to be fully present (back to the full, active, conscious participation request) with God. Time spent with God is never wasted.
This makes me smile soooo much. How true it is! When I think I absolutely, positively, have no time to spare, that is when I MUST shift my priorities. With God first, there is room for everything else of importance. Do you know why? Because when God is first, nothing else is as important. And that is how it should be.
Challenge - Keep God first in everything. Take 15 minutes, 1 hour, an afternoon, or whatever chunk of time you can manage. Make God the priority all through that time. It will not be easy at first. Maybe you'll need to start small. But once you can put God first, everything else falls into place. My personal challenge is to follow that advice when nothing is going my way. That's worth bonus points!
Prayer - God, You know that I run in many distractions, chasing things that seem pressing. Help me to realize that the only real priority in my life is You. I seek Your guidance and grace to help me grow closer to You. I want the inner peace that comes from knowing You intimately.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Prodigality
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/091513.cfm
Quick recap:
1st reading - Exodus - Moses persuades God to be merciful to the Israelites, even though they are worshiping a golden calf
Psalm 51 - Admitting our sinful nature but anticipating the abounding love and compassion of God
2nd Reading - 1 Timothy - despite our sinfulness, God's grace can change our life
Gospel - Luke 15 - 3 parables about prodigality - the shepherd with 1 lost sheep, the woman with 1 lost coin, and the father with 2 sons.
Prodigality - what an interesting word. If you look it up, you will see descriptions like lavishly abundant, profuse, extravagant. This can apply to the readings in several ways. There is excess that is both positive and negative. The shepherd who searches for the lost sheep is going to the extreme in leaving the 99 sheep he has. The woman wastes her oil to diligently search her home for the missing coin. And the father responds with overflowing compassion and extravagance to welcome home his son.
On the other hand, the younger son is reckless and wasteful in his choices and lifestyle. He severs all ties to his family and does what he pleases, heedless of the consequences. And the older son is overflowing with jealousy and anger while majorly lacking in mercy and compassion. So we have a lot of prodigious-ness going on, both good and bad.
In the first reading, Moses persuades God to rethink God's plan of destruction. Moses wants God to be prodigious with mercy, even though the Israelites have not earned it. Quite the opposite - God's people have severed ties to God, even replacing God with a golden idol. Yet God relents and overflows love and mercy on an undeserving people (sounds like the Gospel parables). In Psalm 51 (which is titled as "A Contrite Sinner's Prayer for Pardon"), we are begging God to express profuse mercy towards us. What is most interesting to me is the refrain. I am used to hearing Psalm 51 in a setting such as Tom Kendzia's Create in Me, which is a personal favorite of mine. However, in today's readings, the refrain is actually taken directly from the Gospel. The line in the Gospel, Luke 15:18, I will rise and go to my father, is woven into our psalm prayer, thus connecting our readings even more. We are both the 'contrite sinner' of Psalm 51, and the younger son of the parable, recognizing that we need God. God won't hold our bad choices against us. We have to release our pride and our sin, unlike the older son, if we truly desire oneness with God.
Challenge - answer this question: which side of the prodigality equation am I? Am I excessive with love, mercy, and kindness? Or am I stingy with compassion and overflowing with judgment, pride, and sin?
Prayer - On good days, it's easy for me to believe in Your abounding mercy. When I have sinned, I struggle with accepting that truth. Grant me the wisdom to know You are prodigious with Your mercy, especially when I least deserve it. May I embrace that knowledge for myself and for those around me. We are all children of a Prodigal God.
Quick recap:
1st reading - Exodus - Moses persuades God to be merciful to the Israelites, even though they are worshiping a golden calf
Psalm 51 - Admitting our sinful nature but anticipating the abounding love and compassion of God
2nd Reading - 1 Timothy - despite our sinfulness, God's grace can change our life
Gospel - Luke 15 - 3 parables about prodigality - the shepherd with 1 lost sheep, the woman with 1 lost coin, and the father with 2 sons.
Prodigality - what an interesting word. If you look it up, you will see descriptions like lavishly abundant, profuse, extravagant. This can apply to the readings in several ways. There is excess that is both positive and negative. The shepherd who searches for the lost sheep is going to the extreme in leaving the 99 sheep he has. The woman wastes her oil to diligently search her home for the missing coin. And the father responds with overflowing compassion and extravagance to welcome home his son.
On the other hand, the younger son is reckless and wasteful in his choices and lifestyle. He severs all ties to his family and does what he pleases, heedless of the consequences. And the older son is overflowing with jealousy and anger while majorly lacking in mercy and compassion. So we have a lot of prodigious-ness going on, both good and bad.
In the first reading, Moses persuades God to rethink God's plan of destruction. Moses wants God to be prodigious with mercy, even though the Israelites have not earned it. Quite the opposite - God's people have severed ties to God, even replacing God with a golden idol. Yet God relents and overflows love and mercy on an undeserving people (sounds like the Gospel parables). In Psalm 51 (which is titled as "A Contrite Sinner's Prayer for Pardon"), we are begging God to express profuse mercy towards us. What is most interesting to me is the refrain. I am used to hearing Psalm 51 in a setting such as Tom Kendzia's Create in Me, which is a personal favorite of mine. However, in today's readings, the refrain is actually taken directly from the Gospel. The line in the Gospel, Luke 15:18, I will rise and go to my father, is woven into our psalm prayer, thus connecting our readings even more. We are both the 'contrite sinner' of Psalm 51, and the younger son of the parable, recognizing that we need God. God won't hold our bad choices against us. We have to release our pride and our sin, unlike the older son, if we truly desire oneness with God.
Challenge - answer this question: which side of the prodigality equation am I? Am I excessive with love, mercy, and kindness? Or am I stingy with compassion and overflowing with judgment, pride, and sin?
Prayer - On good days, it's easy for me to believe in Your abounding mercy. When I have sinned, I struggle with accepting that truth. Grant me the wisdom to know You are prodigious with Your mercy, especially when I least deserve it. May I embrace that knowledge for myself and for those around me. We are all children of a Prodigal God.
23rd Sunday follow-up
It's been a busy week, so I'm a little slow in getting these notes posted. This is a follow-up to the 23rd Sunday post, after I heard some excellent homily points that I wanted to remember.
First, we heard a story about an influential sports figure who always wore a pendant that said "I am 3rd". This was to remind him that the priorities in his life should be 1-God, 2-Family & Friends, 3-Self. I found that to be a great eye-opener for me. How many of my petty frustrations would be resolved if I simply kept that order in my thoughts and actions?
Another item related to our call to trust God in all things. Trust was described as starting and ending with the cross (t) and you (u) in the middle. Doesn't get much more to-the-point than that!
Finally, the original meaning of the word 'hate' was addressed. Our understanding of its use is limited by our modern day use and meaning. In the original form, the word meant 'to love less'. So it's not 'hate' as we think of it today, but rather a reminder that we are to love God first and foremost. We should not love anything else more than we love God. The 'hate' of Luke 14:26, is really a reminder to keep God first. We love friends and family, but we should not love them more than God. This ties nicely with the 'I am 3rd' mentality. God is always first.
First, we heard a story about an influential sports figure who always wore a pendant that said "I am 3rd". This was to remind him that the priorities in his life should be 1-God, 2-Family & Friends, 3-Self. I found that to be a great eye-opener for me. How many of my petty frustrations would be resolved if I simply kept that order in my thoughts and actions?
Another item related to our call to trust God in all things. Trust was described as starting and ending with the cross (t) and you (u) in the middle. Doesn't get much more to-the-point than that!
Finally, the original meaning of the word 'hate' was addressed. Our understanding of its use is limited by our modern day use and meaning. In the original form, the word meant 'to love less'. So it's not 'hate' as we think of it today, but rather a reminder that we are to love God first and foremost. We should not love anything else more than we love God. The 'hate' of Luke 14:26, is really a reminder to keep God first. We love friends and family, but we should not love them more than God. This ties nicely with the 'I am 3rd' mentality. God is always first.
Friday, September 13, 2013
The grace of music
Tonight I did something special. I played the piano for Jesus. It was after a wedding rehearsal, and everyone else had left, and I could just play for Jesus. The sun was setting, lighting up the windows of our church, and I just enjoyed making music. As I was playing, I thought to myself, "Why don't I do this more often?" Hmm. Well, if you know me at all, you know I tend to keep my schedule 'full'. So, the answer seemed obvious. But it was something about the time I spent there that soothed my soul like nothing has in the past few weeks of my busy life.
Yes, it was good that I stopped to just be, but I think that there were 2 other pieces that made it even more soul-touching: 1) I was making music, and 2) I was aware of God's presence.
Music is an amazing thing. I feel so very blessed that I am gifted with music. I love singing and playing, enjoying and listening to music. It speaks to me in a way that words can't describe. I pray best through music. Music is my prayer. Music has the power to express emotions that words can't touch. Without music, I feel less alive. So, taking the time to make music was an opportunity for my soul to bloom. I played a variety of songs, and I ended with a favorite that is fun to play and has a beautiful melody. As I listened to the last note fade in the church, I felt peace. I hope I never take this joy for granted.
While I was playing, I imagined God smiling at me. Probably the indulgent smile of a parent who sees their child experiencing a simple joy. I also imagined that God was also wondering why I waited so long to do this. You see, I used to go and play just for Jesus every week when I was growing up. I'm not talking about playing for a liturgy or church event. My parents always kept a holy hour of Eucharist Adoration every week, and when I went, I would play the piano. It always felt different at church. My music was more . . . . . . everything! The notes were right, the songs were uplifting, and it was just better. I don't attribute this to a better piano or improved acoustics. It's because I was very aware of my audience. It's hard to miss Jesus when the tabernacle is in the same room! The same was true tonight. My music sounded sweeter than anything I could play at home. I'm not saying I can only play for Jesus in a church, but the environment certainly impacted my awareness. Yes, God is everywhere. But being on holy ground, in a sacred place, with Christ present is almost beyond words. It makes the good stuff even better.
In our catechism study last week, we looked at the section on singing and music (yay!). I especially appreciated the quote from St. Augustine, "He who sings prays twice." [please note that it doesn't say he who sings well prays twice - any singing will do!] When I heard Immaculee Ilibagiza speak (her website is here), she emphasized how beautiful music is to Our Mother Mary. Music drops defenses and allows our souls to open. I encourage, no, I beseech you to use music as a way to open your soul to God. The next time you are in church, fully participate in the music. It can be intimidating, but God is not glorified by our self-consciousness. We must act with holy boldness so we can praise God with our full, active, and conscious participation, both in our liturgies and in our lives.
Prayer - God, thank you for the gift of music. I can open myself to You through song. I want to find the joy in every act; help me to see the blessings all around me. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." ~Psalm 28:7
Yes, it was good that I stopped to just be, but I think that there were 2 other pieces that made it even more soul-touching: 1) I was making music, and 2) I was aware of God's presence.
Music is an amazing thing. I feel so very blessed that I am gifted with music. I love singing and playing, enjoying and listening to music. It speaks to me in a way that words can't describe. I pray best through music. Music is my prayer. Music has the power to express emotions that words can't touch. Without music, I feel less alive. So, taking the time to make music was an opportunity for my soul to bloom. I played a variety of songs, and I ended with a favorite that is fun to play and has a beautiful melody. As I listened to the last note fade in the church, I felt peace. I hope I never take this joy for granted.
While I was playing, I imagined God smiling at me. Probably the indulgent smile of a parent who sees their child experiencing a simple joy. I also imagined that God was also wondering why I waited so long to do this. You see, I used to go and play just for Jesus every week when I was growing up. I'm not talking about playing for a liturgy or church event. My parents always kept a holy hour of Eucharist Adoration every week, and when I went, I would play the piano. It always felt different at church. My music was more . . . . . . everything! The notes were right, the songs were uplifting, and it was just better. I don't attribute this to a better piano or improved acoustics. It's because I was very aware of my audience. It's hard to miss Jesus when the tabernacle is in the same room! The same was true tonight. My music sounded sweeter than anything I could play at home. I'm not saying I can only play for Jesus in a church, but the environment certainly impacted my awareness. Yes, God is everywhere. But being on holy ground, in a sacred place, with Christ present is almost beyond words. It makes the good stuff even better.
In our catechism study last week, we looked at the section on singing and music (yay!). I especially appreciated the quote from St. Augustine, "He who sings prays twice." [please note that it doesn't say he who sings well prays twice - any singing will do!] When I heard Immaculee Ilibagiza speak (her website is here), she emphasized how beautiful music is to Our Mother Mary. Music drops defenses and allows our souls to open. I encourage, no, I beseech you to use music as a way to open your soul to God. The next time you are in church, fully participate in the music. It can be intimidating, but God is not glorified by our self-consciousness. We must act with holy boldness so we can praise God with our full, active, and conscious participation, both in our liturgies and in our lives.
Prayer - God, thank you for the gift of music. I can open myself to You through song. I want to find the joy in every act; help me to see the blessings all around me. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." ~Psalm 28:7
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Song of Despair
I don't know what it is about the song from Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Close Every Door, but it has a powerful message. Take a listen:
Now, regardless of your favorite actor in the role of Joseph, you have to admit that the lyrics are pretty intense. Quick background to the story, Joseph is wrongly accused and imprisoned because he would not compromise his morals. He has already suffered the betrayal of his brothers, the humiliation of being sold as a slave, and just received an unjust accusation by a powerful man. The future isn't looking so good. Despite all that, Joseph has hope. He acknowledges the hurt, betrayal, and pain, but he has faith that there is more to his story.
Realize - Joseph isn't discounting his value or his life, but he recognizes that God is so much bigger than his current troubles. I especially like the line that says, "I know the answers are far from this world." I think that directly relates to the human tendency to ask 'WHY?". In the song, we hear that Joseph realizes he doesn't know why these things happened, and he knows he doesn't understand the reasons, but he trusts God. God is faithful.
There are any number of verses in Scripture that relate to that very thought, and here are just a few.
While these may not satisfy our desire to know why or wrap our minds around pain and suffering, we can be assured that the God who created us and loves us, will NEVER abandon us. We cannot use our human concept of faithfulness to understand God's covenant with us. Humans can fail, we can disappoint; we can hurt those we love. God is love, and God's love is perfect. As we hear in 1 Corinthians:
Ultimately, Joseph's story doesn't end in prison. He experiences a complete reversal in his fortune, and, through the divine grace of God's plan and Joseph's willingness to submit to that plan, Joseph ends up saving his family from the famine. God's plan was so much bigger than Joseph's current trial.
I challenge you to consider your current struggles. Is there a situation that you are questioning and you feel that you have been unjustly accused, humiliated, or betrayed? I cannot tell you why these things happen or how exactly they will be used for good, but I know that we can trust God. There is a plan.
Prayer - God, when I am in the midst of a trial and I cannot see beyond the hurt, anger, frustration or pain, soothe my soul with Your grace. Speak the truth to my heart, reminding me that You are in control. I pray that I can fully trust that You are faithful.
Now, regardless of your favorite actor in the role of Joseph, you have to admit that the lyrics are pretty intense. Quick background to the story, Joseph is wrongly accused and imprisoned because he would not compromise his morals. He has already suffered the betrayal of his brothers, the humiliation of being sold as a slave, and just received an unjust accusation by a powerful man. The future isn't looking so good. Despite all that, Joseph has hope. He acknowledges the hurt, betrayal, and pain, but he has faith that there is more to his story.
Realize - Joseph isn't discounting his value or his life, but he recognizes that God is so much bigger than his current troubles. I especially like the line that says, "I know the answers are far from this world." I think that directly relates to the human tendency to ask 'WHY?". In the song, we hear that Joseph realizes he doesn't know why these things happened, and he knows he doesn't understand the reasons, but he trusts God. God is faithful.
There are any number of verses in Scripture that relate to that very thought, and here are just a few.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight." ~Proverbs 3:5-6
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." ~Deuteronomy 7:9
"I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel." ~Psalm 71:22
"God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." ~1 Corinthians 1:9
"But Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory." ~Hebrews 3:5-7
While these may not satisfy our desire to know why or wrap our minds around pain and suffering, we can be assured that the God who created us and loves us, will NEVER abandon us. We cannot use our human concept of faithfulness to understand God's covenant with us. Humans can fail, we can disappoint; we can hurt those we love. God is love, and God's love is perfect. As we hear in 1 Corinthians:
"Love never fails . . . " ~Corinthians 13:8a
Ultimately, Joseph's story doesn't end in prison. He experiences a complete reversal in his fortune, and, through the divine grace of God's plan and Joseph's willingness to submit to that plan, Joseph ends up saving his family from the famine. God's plan was so much bigger than Joseph's current trial.
I challenge you to consider your current struggles. Is there a situation that you are questioning and you feel that you have been unjustly accused, humiliated, or betrayed? I cannot tell you why these things happen or how exactly they will be used for good, but I know that we can trust God. There is a plan.
Prayer - God, when I am in the midst of a trial and I cannot see beyond the hurt, anger, frustration or pain, soothe my soul with Your grace. Speak the truth to my heart, reminding me that You are in control. I pray that I can fully trust that You are faithful.
Saturday, September 07, 2013
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Wisdom in the Cross
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090813.cfm
Quick recap:
1st Reading - Wisdom - humans are easily distracted and unable to grow in wisdom unless it is given by God.
Psalm 90 - Trusting God to always be present and recognizing God's wisdom
2nd Reading - Philemon - welcoming others as family
Gospel - Luke 14 - There is a price to pay when you say YES to Jesus. We are not to be discouraged from becoming disciples, but realize that there is a cost.
So, this week's Gospel seems a little odd. We are told to 'hate'?! Now, remember, that's just a first glance response. We know Jesus is love, so there's got to be more to it.
Well, the theme of wisdom is fairly predominant. The first reading reminds us that wisdom is a gift from God. As one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it is something we overlook. Maybe we give ourselves credit for being smart, or we neglect to recognize it as a gift from God. The psalm highlights God's wisdom and contrasts that with human action. We begin to see our lives as a fleeting moment, owed completely to God. It is God who directs our paths and our very being. I had trouble seeing the connections with the 2nd reading. So my take-away is the wisdom of relationships. We must connect with those around us to create the Kingdom of Heaven right here and now.
Now, the Gospel starts out with a very blatant statement - hating family. But, immediately following that was a statement about carrying our own cross in order to be a disciple. So, consider the first line to be a realistic warning. We cannot know the size of our crosses, but we must expect that we will have many crosses during our life. Jesus is asking for a complete self-giving. We can't give just an hour a week. Being His disciple costs more. So, we need to be aware of the cost.
One of the former pastors of my parish had a favorite line he used in wedding homilies, "If the bride and groom knew what the future held, they'd be headed for the exits in different directions!" We don't know what the future holds, and we have to trust. But saying 'Yes' isn't a halfway calling. There is always room for growth and deeper relationship for God, but we must remain faithful, no matter the cross we carry. We are not perfect, but with God's grace, we will have what we need. There will likely be some challenges on the journey that we did not anticipate. But, as the psalm reminds us, God is always faithful. Always.
Prayer - Lord, help me to continue to embrace my cross, even when I feel I cannot go one more inch. My strength is not sufficient, but Yours is perfect. With You, I can wholeheartedly say "YES"!
Challenge - one of the songs we will be singing at Mass is "Glory in the Cross". It's a great song for many reasons, but I want you to really focus on the refrain, 'Let us ever glory in the cross of Christ and the triumph of God's great love.' If that is used in your parish, do you sing it and mean it? Read the words (found here), and try and use it as your phrase this week, so that you can say you really do 'glory in the cross'.
Quick recap:
1st Reading - Wisdom - humans are easily distracted and unable to grow in wisdom unless it is given by God.
Psalm 90 - Trusting God to always be present and recognizing God's wisdom
2nd Reading - Philemon - welcoming others as family
Gospel - Luke 14 - There is a price to pay when you say YES to Jesus. We are not to be discouraged from becoming disciples, but realize that there is a cost.
So, this week's Gospel seems a little odd. We are told to 'hate'?! Now, remember, that's just a first glance response. We know Jesus is love, so there's got to be more to it.
Well, the theme of wisdom is fairly predominant. The first reading reminds us that wisdom is a gift from God. As one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it is something we overlook. Maybe we give ourselves credit for being smart, or we neglect to recognize it as a gift from God. The psalm highlights God's wisdom and contrasts that with human action. We begin to see our lives as a fleeting moment, owed completely to God. It is God who directs our paths and our very being. I had trouble seeing the connections with the 2nd reading. So my take-away is the wisdom of relationships. We must connect with those around us to create the Kingdom of Heaven right here and now.
Now, the Gospel starts out with a very blatant statement - hating family. But, immediately following that was a statement about carrying our own cross in order to be a disciple. So, consider the first line to be a realistic warning. We cannot know the size of our crosses, but we must expect that we will have many crosses during our life. Jesus is asking for a complete self-giving. We can't give just an hour a week. Being His disciple costs more. So, we need to be aware of the cost.
One of the former pastors of my parish had a favorite line he used in wedding homilies, "If the bride and groom knew what the future held, they'd be headed for the exits in different directions!" We don't know what the future holds, and we have to trust. But saying 'Yes' isn't a halfway calling. There is always room for growth and deeper relationship for God, but we must remain faithful, no matter the cross we carry. We are not perfect, but with God's grace, we will have what we need. There will likely be some challenges on the journey that we did not anticipate. But, as the psalm reminds us, God is always faithful. Always.
Prayer - Lord, help me to continue to embrace my cross, even when I feel I cannot go one more inch. My strength is not sufficient, but Yours is perfect. With You, I can wholeheartedly say "YES"!
Challenge - one of the songs we will be singing at Mass is "Glory in the Cross". It's a great song for many reasons, but I want you to really focus on the refrain, 'Let us ever glory in the cross of Christ and the triumph of God's great love.' If that is used in your parish, do you sing it and mean it? Read the words (found here), and try and use it as your phrase this week, so that you can say you really do 'glory in the cross'.
Tuesday, September 03, 2013
Worn
This has been my go-to song since I went to the Tenth Avenue North concert (see post, lyrics, and music video here). As I was driving back from my parents, I played this song over and over so I could learn all of the notes and words. The message, the honesty, the melody; I love it all. While I'm driving and thoroughly enjoying this music, I think to myself, 'This is a song I would want to have when I struggle.' See, on that Sunday morning, life was great. I had just spent time with family, had a nice change of scenery, and was excited to get back to Newman for Mass and a Baptism. I enjoyed the song, but perhaps from more of a distance; the way one might appreciate a work of art.
Fast forward to the present. I'm working on a big project that takes all of my free time, and it hasn't been smooth sailing. Work was both a 'Monday' and a 'Tuesday' combined - double-whammy of stuff to accomplish. My to do lists are growing like weeds and multiplying like rabbits (don't ask me how). My phone keeps receiving emails and texts from people who need things - information, my time, my knowledge. Now none of this is catastrophic by any means. But when you add it all together, it's a bit . . . well . . . wearing.
I found this interesting in two ways. One - the reminder to enjoy right now, because things can and will change. I certainly wasn't praying for the opportunity to use that song as my prayer. I wasn't secretly hoping to be in the position of feeling worn. I am, however, thankful that I had discovered this song which so eloquently expressed my thoughts. Which leads me to number two - even though my current predicament is frustrating - it is 'small potatoes'. There are so many worse things which I could be facing. But that is exactly what is so amazing about this song, and even more awesome about our God. Everything is relative, and perspective is a good thing, however, in that moment, I was tired. But I could relate to this song on so many levels, from the superficial stresses, to the loss of my niece, to whatever challenge I am facing right now. Big or small, it fits. Same goes for God. I can trust God with my struggles, with my fears, my pain, my loss, my petty grievances, my anger - all of it! God wants me to give it all - big or small, insignificant or life-changing. So whether my soul feels crushed because of sin, imbalance in my life, or too many things on my to-do list, God is right here, with arms open, waiting for me to release my burden.
Prayer - God, I am worn. Today it is the small things I have let build up. I have allowed distractions to take my focus off of You. Help me re-balance myself in You by letting go of my burdens, big and small. I can trust You with all parts of my life, even the frustrating and mundane. Help me seek You at all times.
Fast forward to the present. I'm working on a big project that takes all of my free time, and it hasn't been smooth sailing. Work was both a 'Monday' and a 'Tuesday' combined - double-whammy of stuff to accomplish. My to do lists are growing like weeds and multiplying like rabbits (don't ask me how). My phone keeps receiving emails and texts from people who need things - information, my time, my knowledge. Now none of this is catastrophic by any means. But when you add it all together, it's a bit . . . well . . . wearing.
I found this interesting in two ways. One - the reminder to enjoy right now, because things can and will change. I certainly wasn't praying for the opportunity to use that song as my prayer. I wasn't secretly hoping to be in the position of feeling worn. I am, however, thankful that I had discovered this song which so eloquently expressed my thoughts. Which leads me to number two - even though my current predicament is frustrating - it is 'small potatoes'. There are so many worse things which I could be facing. But that is exactly what is so amazing about this song, and even more awesome about our God. Everything is relative, and perspective is a good thing, however, in that moment, I was tired. But I could relate to this song on so many levels, from the superficial stresses, to the loss of my niece, to whatever challenge I am facing right now. Big or small, it fits. Same goes for God. I can trust God with my struggles, with my fears, my pain, my loss, my petty grievances, my anger - all of it! God wants me to give it all - big or small, insignificant or life-changing. So whether my soul feels crushed because of sin, imbalance in my life, or too many things on my to-do list, God is right here, with arms open, waiting for me to release my burden.
Prayer - God, I am worn. Today it is the small things I have let build up. I have allowed distractions to take my focus off of You. Help me re-balance myself in You by letting go of my burdens, big and small. I can trust You with all parts of my life, even the frustrating and mundane. Help me seek You at all times.
Thankful Thursday 9-5
I am very thankful for support. I have a great group of women with whom I meet every week, and they are such a blessing. I can trust them with my ups and downs, and I know they share my joys and my struggles. They keep me accountable, on track (mostly), and they love me as I am. If you do not have a group such as this, I strongly recommend you fix that immediately. Life has such a brighter outlook when you surround yourself with like-minded people. For me, my group is where I 'check-in' - am I actually practicing what I preach? Did I really listen to the Scripture on Sunday, or was I too busy with my own plans? Did I stumble? Do I need a gentle nudge or a sharp poke in the ribs - my group can supply either one, depending on my level of feisty-ness!
How do you find such a group? First, you've got to be one of those people. If you want upbeat, faith-filled Christians in your group, you need to be one! Second, get involved. For me, this particular group came out of my Catholics Encounter Christ weekend. However, you can make connections with people from your church, bible study, a retreat, or among your friends. Third, just do it. Meet regularly. Even when you don't feel like it. (Hint - that's probably when you need it the most. At least that's how it works for me!)
Prayer - Lord, I think I don't have time to do any more, but I forget that neglecting my faith-life is a very dangerous corner to cut. Help me see the need for balance in my life, and to appreciate the blessings of those who help me to keep that balance. When life goes off-kilter, I know You are there, and You have placed people in my life to support me. For this I am grateful.
How do you find such a group? First, you've got to be one of those people. If you want upbeat, faith-filled Christians in your group, you need to be one! Second, get involved. For me, this particular group came out of my Catholics Encounter Christ weekend. However, you can make connections with people from your church, bible study, a retreat, or among your friends. Third, just do it. Meet regularly. Even when you don't feel like it. (Hint - that's probably when you need it the most. At least that's how it works for me!)
Prayer - Lord, I think I don't have time to do any more, but I forget that neglecting my faith-life is a very dangerous corner to cut. Help me see the need for balance in my life, and to appreciate the blessings of those who help me to keep that balance. When life goes off-kilter, I know You are there, and You have placed people in my life to support me. For this I am grateful.
Monday, September 02, 2013
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - part 2
See previous part 1 here.
Humility - everyone's favorite topic. Or not. It's not my favorite word. But Jesus thought it was worth a parable, so let's try to see it from His view.
Definition of humility - the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc.
Okay, so what is the definition of humble? According to http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/humble
Hmmm. I see why we shy away from this word. Definition #1 is good. We like people who aren't arrogant. But definition #2 is very contrary to our society. In a world that constantly asks 'what's in it for ME?', being considered inferior is like a social death blow. Definition #3 is also socially contrary, but definition #4 is another quality we like in others: respect. (Side note - the sentence used to illustrate #4 "In my humble opinion you are wrong," seems to me to almost NEVER be used with respect. We generally use it as sarcasm, thus negating the meaning of humble in that context. Confused yet?) Definition #5 is another interesting twist from society. Society puts a negative emphasis on humble in that context. It is considered almost regretful to be short or small. In a world of 'bigger is better', it's hard to be okay with being humble.
So there are aspects of being humble that everyone likes . . . . in someone else! We like to be called modest and courteous, true. However, humility has the slight social taint that we aren't sure we want to be attributed directly to us. Thus the battle of human and divine. Jesus calls us to be humble, yet our world views that as a weakness. So, what's so great about being humble? Why does Jesus call us to humility? First - we need to view humility as Jesus does, removing our human bias. I've heard many excellent homilies that use the following phrase to update our thinking on humility:
I get the feeling that Jesus was being tongue-in-cheek with this parable. I mean, He's telling people how to be exalted? No - he's using the parable to poke us out of complacency. He presents the concept in a way that our socially-conscious ego can handle. Jesus knows us well.
Prayer - Lord, You know me better than I know myself. Help me to understand humility as You do. It is not a badge of shame, but rather a desire to be like You.
Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (emphasis mine)
Humility - everyone's favorite topic. Or not. It's not my favorite word. But Jesus thought it was worth a parable, so let's try to see it from His view.
Definition of humility - the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc.
Okay, so what is the definition of humble? According to http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/humble
adjective1.not proud or arrogant; modest: to be humble although successful.2.having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.:In the presence of so many world-famous writers I felt very humble.3.low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly: of humbleorigin; a humble home.4.courteously respectful: In my humble opinion you are wrong.5.low in height, level, etc.; small in size: a humble member of thegalaxy.
Hmmm. I see why we shy away from this word. Definition #1 is good. We like people who aren't arrogant. But definition #2 is very contrary to our society. In a world that constantly asks 'what's in it for ME?', being considered inferior is like a social death blow. Definition #3 is also socially contrary, but definition #4 is another quality we like in others: respect. (Side note - the sentence used to illustrate #4 "In my humble opinion you are wrong," seems to me to almost NEVER be used with respect. We generally use it as sarcasm, thus negating the meaning of humble in that context. Confused yet?) Definition #5 is another interesting twist from society. Society puts a negative emphasis on humble in that context. It is considered almost regretful to be short or small. In a world of 'bigger is better', it's hard to be okay with being humble.
So there are aspects of being humble that everyone likes . . . . in someone else! We like to be called modest and courteous, true. However, humility has the slight social taint that we aren't sure we want to be attributed directly to us. Thus the battle of human and divine. Jesus calls us to be humble, yet our world views that as a weakness. So, what's so great about being humble? Why does Jesus call us to humility? First - we need to view humility as Jesus does, removing our human bias. I've heard many excellent homilies that use the following phrase to update our thinking on humility:
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less. ~C.S. LewisDo you see the difference? Just by switching the order of 3 words, we come up with a whole new understanding. Yes, our human reaction may be to balk at the concept of humility, since we tend to associate it with words like wimp, doormat, pushover, etc. But in the Gospel, Jesus isn't asking us to be a coward. He is telling us to take our focus and energy and direct it outside of ourselves. We are used to the refrain of "me, me, me", and that doesn't leave any time or energy for others. So instead of thinking only of ourselves, we are called to think of others.
I get the feeling that Jesus was being tongue-in-cheek with this parable. I mean, He's telling people how to be exalted? No - he's using the parable to poke us out of complacency. He presents the concept in a way that our socially-conscious ego can handle. Jesus knows us well.
Prayer - Lord, You know me better than I know myself. Help me to understand humility as You do. It is not a badge of shame, but rather a desire to be like You.
Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (emphasis mine)
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