On the Wings of the Wind

Verse of the day:

“You walk on the wings of the wind,
you make the winds your messengers
and flashing fire your servants.”

-- Psalm 104: 3-4

A Blazing Fire

Two weeks ago, at the wedding of my old college friend Pete in Burbank, CA, the first scripture reading was the passage from Song of Songs (a.k.a. Song of Solomon) that includes the verse "Set me as a seal on your heart."

I heard the same passage proclaimed last Saturday morning at the Mass of First Profession of Sr. John Paul Marie, C.F.R., at St. Adalbert Church in the South Bronx. (Sr. John Paul's college roommate is married to one of my high school buddies.)

In case you're unfamiliar, here are those beautiful verses:

Set me as a seal on your heart,
as a seal on your arm;
For stern as death is love,
relentless as the nether world is devotion;
its flames are a blazing fire.

Deep waters cannot quench love,
nor floods sweep it away.
Were one to offer all he owns to purchase love,
he would be roundly mocked.

These words have been the inspiration for more than one than one piece of music, including a classical setting that is often performed by choral groups.

But, I think the song related to this scripture that I most appreciate is the contemporary take of Matt Maher. In honor of Pete and his bride, Sr. John Paul and everyone with a burning love, I post it below for this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend."

Peace:

Here Comes Everybody

Quote of the day:

" ... old Polish ladies, tweedy gents from the shires, African hospital cleaners, self-consciously cool teenagers, Filipino checkout assistants and, as one of my friends put it, “some rather tarty-looking traveller women who’d obviously had a glass or two”. They don’t call it the Catholic Church for nothing ... "

-- Damian Thompson, in a post on B16's visit to the United Kingdom

Hat-tip: Deacon Scott on Facebook

The image above is from Flickr. The pilgrims at the Mass are reading from special editions published by my gig.

Sentimental Reasons

I learned today that two of my friends here in NYC have gotten engaged.

To them, and especially to my own steady, I dedicate this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend."

I have chosen one of my all-time favorites: Nat King Cole's rendition of "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons."

Peace:



And another take:

Prayer of Remembrance

I'm writing today from the Starbucks at the Galleria in Sherman Oaks, CA. I've been visiting the Los Angeles area all week (following the SCRC conference in Anaheim) to attend the wedding of an old college friend tomorrow in Burbank.

It's been a great visit. But as the other old college friend with whom I'm staying doesn't have wifi, my infrequent time on-line has been limited to checking e-mail and the social networking sites.

And, while I missed the chance to do my usual post about Sunday Mass, I didn't want today to pass without a note here at the blog that today is the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks upon the United States.

We must not forget.

Below, for this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend," is a rendition of J.S. Bach's setting of "Dona Nobis Pacem." It is posted as a prayer of remembrance for all those who were killed that horrible day, for all who mourn them, for our nation and for peace in our world.

Peace:

The Age of Not Believing

Since I'm in Anaheim, home of Disneyland, it seems appropriate that this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend" be a song from a Disney film.

One of my favorite Disney movies is "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," the 1971 musical starring Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson.

Of the Sherman Brothers' many fine tunes in the movie, perhaps most memorable is the tender ballad "The Age of Not Believing." It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song.

Here it is below for your consideration.

Peace:



Bonus: From a recital:

On Blogging and Humility

I'm writing tonight from Anaheim, CA. I'm here through Sunday to exhibit for my gig at the Southern California Renewal Conference. It's my second visit to this annual gathering of Catholic charismatics and my eighth occasion exhibiting at the Anaheim Convention Center.

This week, back in Gotham, I was remiss in doing my usual post on the Sunday Mass readings. My persistent lack of blogging is due to a few reasons.

First, a somewhat negative cause: I've become addicted to Twitter. I've been won over by the possibilities of the micro-blogging format and its potential for connection with many people from various walks of life.

Second, a very positive cause: I'm dating someone. It's going well. And, this leaves less solitary time for writing.

But, I'm determined to keep this blog alive. It's been a labor of love for more than four years.

In that spirit:

On Sunday, I went to the 7 p.m. Mass at Old St. Pat's.

The day's scripture readings focused on humility. The Gospel, which I posted in 2007, was from Luke Chapter 14. In the passage, Jesus said:

"For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

This is something I need to remember -- while exhibiting, tweeting, dating, blogging and all the other parts of this blessedly full life.

For reflections on Sunday's scriptures, visit Fran, A Concord Pastor, City Father, Fr. Mulcahy and Bishop Gumbleton.

The image above is from Evan.