DATE : 11/5/2021
EVENT : Tuesday of the sixth Week of Easter
COLOUR: White
READINGS : Acts 16:22-34;
Resp. Psalm 137:1-3,7-8; John 16:5-11.
THEME: DEEP SORROW PRODUCES POWERFUL SONGS
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this eleventh day of May, which is the second day of the sixth week of Easter, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Deep Sorrow Produces Powerful Songs". Beloved, while growing up as a child, I often heard my Mum singing very sorrowful songs with very deep and touching meanings. Sometimes, she would wrap me in her arms while singing with tears in her eyes. And I could tell that those songs put into words the contents of her heart, which no one seems to understand. Hmmm. I also know that most of the Psalms contained in the Bible and many of the other deeply theological hymns and songs of the Church, were composed at a time when their authors were either, bereaved, depressed, sorrowing or emotionally disturbed. According to an ancient saying, "song is the language of the soul". A good song is uplifting, consoling, and edifying. Sincere Songs put into words, the contents of our heart, it confirms the words of Scripture in Romans 8:26: 'Likewise, the spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words..." Let's turn to the song of Paul and Silas in today's reading. 👇🏽
In today's first reading, we are told that on account of their missionary work in Philippi, Paul and Silas were arrested, insulted, persecuted, stripped naked, flogged, starved and finally thrown into the dark dungeon of the Philippian prisons; and guards were put in place to keep an eye on them. Now, instead of allowing their despicable and degrading situations to have the better of them, they chose the road less travelled, and started singing praises to God amidst tears, since words have eluded them. It was while they were singing, that the heavens were provoked and the power of God, caused the earth to quake and the prison bars to be broken. But as obedient citizens, who knew better, they remained inside the open prisons, rather than to be charged of jail break, thereby giving their opponents the opportunity to accuse and sentence them justly (Cf. Titus 2:1-8). There is a great lesson for us to learn from this attitude of Paul and Silas today. Music has wondrous powers. It it the only thing that remains when prayers give out. Music has a way of reaching and piercing the heavens. A sincere song of sorrow and pain, comes directly to the altars of grace on high. A sincere song, borne from a deeply sorrowing heart, attracts the spirit of God, and communicates with the divine spirit, in ways unimaginable. A sincere song of sorrow brings down answers to prayers speedily.
Child of God, do not be too ashamed to cry to God with songs. When you are in deep trouble, when the world seems not to be making sense to you anymore. When your husband is frustrating you, when your wife is a nag, when your children are causing you great pain. When your lover abandons or breaks your heart, when you failed that interview again, when the test result shows that the sickness is still there, when as an expectation mother, you see your period again after a month of prayers and anticipation. When your financial status keeps dropping, when your business keeps crashing and your health keep deteriorating. When you do not seem to be finding joy or fulfilment in your life or with your religious vocation as a Rev. Sr. Rev. Bro. or priest. Do not give up, do not resign to date, do not become irritable, do not become forlorn, do not run from one house of prayer to another, and do allow yourself to fall into depression. Just take it to God in tears and let songs of thankfulness and praise of God never depart from your lips.
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).
LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus,
The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.
May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ....Amen
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
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