A New Song (Sort Of)

Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:

share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.

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Two weeks back, my family and I went to Sunday Mass in West Michigan, at a quaint neighborhood parish. The experience embodied being home. There were so many family connections in such a short visit to the parish! Please allow me to gush for a moment:

As we stepped out of our rental van in the church parking lot, Mrs. Donahue greeted us. David and I grew up with her kids. After we walked up two short flights of steps and into the cozy, carpeted church, we heard gentle guitar strumming from my Mother-in-law. She was directing a small ensemble. Superbly-gregarious Fr. Edwin heard Confessions and celebrated Mass. Fr. Edwin informed my husband that he first met me 21 years ago, when I was still in high school! 

The pianist was Rachel, whom I used to babysit! (My 10-yr-old daughter was confused because it seems like Rachel and I are about the same age now. I’ll take it as a compliment.) David’s uncle sat in the pew behind us. My father-in-law parked in his wheelchair at the end of our pew. At the back of the church, nestled among other flyers and brochures, was a Diocesan magazine featuring my Deacon dad on the front cover.

The list goes on. It was so good, and so very different from where we live now. The Word that stood out to me during Mass was from the beginning of Psalm 98: “Sing to the Lord a new song.”

As we returned home to Arizona and settled back into our typical routine, I sensed the Lord was inviting me to play the piano. I eyed the electric keyboard a few times, but I never followed the prompting.

My dad used to say, “All excuses are equal.” I have no good excuse for why I didn’t listen to that nudging from the Lord! My heart desired to sit down to play and sing “a new song,” but I resisted. Let’s look at a Gospel narrative that is reminiscent of this experience.

The story that comes to mind is Mary and Martha. I’m empathizing a lot with Martha right now. When she addressed Jesus with disappointment that her sister wasn’t helping with the household chores, I wonder whether she secretly longed to stop and to sit with Mary and Jesus. So when Jesus gently scolded her, maybe He was actually affirming her heart’s desire.

What carefree pastime might the Lord be inviting you into this week? I have a couple of friends with whom I’ve been in community recently, who both have a knack for stopping to smell the flowers, so to speak! Whether that means to savor a cup of coffee or to enjoy watching a fun sitcom on the couch, they’re great at it. For those of us who right now gravitate more toward the figure of Martha, let’s pray with her intercession!

(Prayer from PowerfulCatholicPrayers.com)

O blessed St. Martha,
your faith led Jesus to proclaim,
“I am the resurrection and the life”;
and faith let you see beyond his humanity when you cried out,
“Lord I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
With firm hope you said,
I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him,
and Jesus called your brother Lazarus back from the dead.
With pure love for Jesus
you welcomed him into your home.
Friend and servant of our Savior,
I too am “troubled about many things.”

(Pause for silent prayer.)

Pray for me that I may grow in faith,
hope and love, and that Jesus,
who sat at your table,
will hear me and grant me a place
at the banquet of eternal life.
Amen.

___

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