Babe turns two in a few weeks and unlike the 'terrible twos' I have often heard about, our Babe continues to fascinate us. Something we've noticed with him, in particular is his love of music. Even as a 6 month old, we noticed his change of demeanour, anytime music played near him. When he got old enough to pull himself to his feet, his little legs would bounce in the same rhythm as a nearby beat. As he perfected his walking, the dancing quickly followed, head bopping, and huge smiles were always part of the scene.
And now, well now, we have his singing to enjoy. For the past few Sundays he's joining in the 'Glory' which is sung by our choir only a few feet away. He belts out like none of the other children, and onlookers chuckle nearby as he participates, however loud in the Mass.
I look at him with such admiration for his spirit of joy that he brings. It's a complete innocent joy, uncorrupted, unguarded and unapologetic. I often wonder if those sitting around us at Mass, will have the gum-shun to ask us to remove the boy at the 'Glory' part. Maybe they never will ask us. Perhaps this boy, in all his joy, reminds others, as he does me, that God just wants us there, happy, content, peaceful. Perhaps he reminds others, that no matter the type of singing voice we were blessed with, showing joy in praising God is such a testimony of Faith.
Especially during Lent, when we are to go in our rooms and pray, and not show off our sacrifices, this is the time to reflect on Christ's death, but also remember that with His sacrifice, comes the greatest joy. To sum up, yes, we sacrifice during Lent, we pray, we give alms and it hurts. However, and this is the big however, we know that His and our sacrifice isn't the end. We know what to expect next. We keep a knowing smile behind the hurt of sacrifice.....we know the Resurrection follows. And with this knowledge, we are able to be heroic in our 'giving up' for Lent, we are able to be heroic in our prayer and in our alms giving.
Let us unite with Christ for 40 days, join Him in His suffering, in preparation for the great joy that is Easter......and our Babe will out-sing us all, when we join his 'Alleluia' joy!
And now, well now, we have his singing to enjoy. For the past few Sundays he's joining in the 'Glory' which is sung by our choir only a few feet away. He belts out like none of the other children, and onlookers chuckle nearby as he participates, however loud in the Mass.
I look at him with such admiration for his spirit of joy that he brings. It's a complete innocent joy, uncorrupted, unguarded and unapologetic. I often wonder if those sitting around us at Mass, will have the gum-shun to ask us to remove the boy at the 'Glory' part. Maybe they never will ask us. Perhaps this boy, in all his joy, reminds others, as he does me, that God just wants us there, happy, content, peaceful. Perhaps he reminds others, that no matter the type of singing voice we were blessed with, showing joy in praising God is such a testimony of Faith.
Especially during Lent, when we are to go in our rooms and pray, and not show off our sacrifices, this is the time to reflect on Christ's death, but also remember that with His sacrifice, comes the greatest joy. To sum up, yes, we sacrifice during Lent, we pray, we give alms and it hurts. However, and this is the big however, we know that His and our sacrifice isn't the end. We know what to expect next. We keep a knowing smile behind the hurt of sacrifice.....we know the Resurrection follows. And with this knowledge, we are able to be heroic in our 'giving up' for Lent, we are able to be heroic in our prayer and in our alms giving.
Let us unite with Christ for 40 days, join Him in His suffering, in preparation for the great joy that is Easter......and our Babe will out-sing us all, when we join his 'Alleluia' joy!
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