Sing praise to God
To the Editor:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh (Luke 6:20-21).
The human condition involves suffering. No matter how hard we try to avoid it, eventually suffering hits us all. It could be the loss of a job. A terminally ill friend or family member. A serious illness or your own imminent death. A close friend pointed out that praising God in the midst of our suffering is the perfect form of praise.
It’s easy to praise God when everything is going well. It’s much more challenging when your life has been turned upside down with grief and pain. I recently read that St. Maximillian Kolbe, who died in a starvation bunker in Auschwitz during WWII, was heard singing songs and hymns while in prison. He also encouraged his fellow prisoners to join in these songs. Imagine the physical pain of being deprived of food and water, the sense of hopelessness, and yet rejoicing from the depths of your soul to God. How is this possible?
One day after Mass, I poured my heart out to God. I felt especially close to Jesus. I sensed the gentle arms of his mother embrace and console me. I heard the still small voice of God gently tell me to remember the empty tomb. If we share in the sufferings of Christ, we also share in his resurrection. In the midst of my pain, my heart began to sing praise to God. Tears of rejoicing replaced tears of pain and suffering. All that matters is unity with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which will live on in heaven. The praise flowing from this union will continue for all eternity.
Mike Gannon
St. Joseph Church
Milford, Iowa
