music for the soul: track 03
keep on keepin' on – jojo
Praying to God at night
That things'll get better soon
I know times are hard right now
Happiness is hard to find right now
You got to keep on keepin' on
You got to keep your head up high
Just like that, there’s less than a month left. How are you going during this Lenten season? To be honest, I thought I’d be itching for Easter just as much as I itch my eczema during summer. But surprisingly, I am not doing too bad in terms of my Lenten commitments. Some days are easier than others, but I’ve really been enjoying shifting more of my time from worldly, material things to time with God. However, everything isn’t picture perfect – not even close. There is still so much pain, struggle and suffering in each of our lives as well as in our respective communities, the Church and I’m sure you’re familiar with the heartbreaking things happening around the world right now. It can leave us wondering where to find happiness today.
On a lighter note, on my way to Mass today, I endeavoured to (finish) re-listening to an episode from my favourite podcast, Abiding Together. I had actually listened to this when it first came out last year, and though this wasn’t recorded during Lent or for Lent, as always, I happened to listen to this just at the right time (more specifically, just in time to find inspiration for this post.) It was the first of the series, “The Women Doctors of the Church” in which, was focused on St Catherine of Siena. In this podcast they talked about brokenness and suffering in the world, in the Church and in St Catherine’s life for such a time as her’s. Her life was not at all easy, that in a great moment of despair she asked, “My Beloved Lord, where were You when my soul was filled with such terrible bitterness?” There are two things that came to mind when I heard this:
This person was a religious sister, and now, a canonised saint AND a Doctor of the Church, and yet, even she, struggled to find God in her life – just like each of us.
She knew that God was still there, somewhere - she couldn’t see where, but she knew He simply was and simply, is.
“Am I a God near by, says the Lord, and not a God far off? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them? says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord.”
Jeremiah 23:23-24
“I was in your heart.” These are the words that Jesus replied with then, and these are the words He says to us today, when we ask the same question, “Where is He?” He is in the desert, being tempted by the devil. He is in Calvary, carrying the cross. He is suffering with you. He is suffering for you. So, in those moments when we want to give up, let us remember that Jesus never did. What if He did not get up the third time? There are things in life that we must accept.
There are times in our life when we have to fall. But that doesn’t mean we should stay in the same place. Just as He did, we must press on with our eyes set on Heaven, and our hearts set on Him. Though it may be hard, let’s thank God for these challenges, in anticipation for our mourning to turn into dancing. In advance, thank Him. For right now, thank Him. And for everything that has been, thank Him. For any cross we are carrying, no matter how many times we fall, with Jesus in our hearts, we have the ability to get back up again. This worldly pain is incomparable to the joy of Heaven. The weight of the cross is lifted by the resurrection. Hang in there, the cross you bear, you do not bear alone. And the muscles you strengthen, will be the ones that will get you home.
“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.”
― St. Catherine of Siena
St Catherine of Siena, pray for us.
via.
Listen to "Keep on Keepin' On" here.
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