EASTER JOY: Say it and mean it!

Have you ever said a memorized prayer similar to the "Our Father" and never really meant it? Perhaps you have said a prayer before class and just gone through the motions. Or maybe prayed at an event just to get it over with and never put much effort into the words.

Well, I had a similar experience with one of my passions. I love to sing and play piano. One of the most widely used words in music is musicianship, basically it means putting your emotions behind a song and making it mean something. I remember one time last year our moderator explaining the difference between "singing" a song at Mass and just going through the motions of singing a song. Obviously when someone places a conscious effort into our song it can change a whole song.

Saint Augustine words encourages us in our song when he says, “one who sings well, prays twice.”

Let’s take one of my favorite songs, “Awesome God.” People freak out when the song is played! Everyone knows the words. How much more intense would it sound if we consider the important things God has done for us as we sing this song.

It wasn't for no reason that He shed his blood
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom pow'r and love
And when the sky was starless in the void of the night
He spoke into the darkness and created the light
Judgment and wrath he poured out on Sodom
Mercy and grace He gave us at the cross
His return is very close and so you better be believing

So when we sing this song, or any religious song for that matter, sing what we mean, understand it, know it, put our emotions behind it, and maybe use a little musicianship because, don’t forget, our God is truly an Awesome God.

Contributed by one of our Marianist high school students

"In the enthusiasm of our gratitude, our hearts burst forth into a glorious hymn of love and admiration. Who indeed could adequately praise Mary? Or should anyone fear to exceed due limits in exalting a creature so supremely privileged?"

Blessed William Joseph Chaminade