Turn! Turn! Turn!

There is an appointed time for everything, 

and a time for every affair under the heavens. – Ecclesiastes 3:1 

For the leaves, a time to die.

Popularized by the Byrds in 1965 with their song “Turn! Turn! Turn!” this Bible verse is one of the most recognized from the Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament). In a strange twist, the underlying current of the Scripture passage is easy to lose amid the familiarity and popularity of the words. As the passage continues to tell us there’s a “time to be born, and a time to die” and “a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant,” a basic quality of knowing the “appointed time” screams to be recognized: discernment. Without proper time, space, and silence for discernment, it is difficult to know whether it’s “a time to keep,” or “a time to cast away;” whether it’s “a time to be silent” or “a time to speak.” In a world that places a premium on what’s now (see: the series of commercials saying “that was so 15 seconds ago”), on knowing the latest news (“did you hear about the NFL refs?”), and on having the latest gadgets (iPhone 5!), I have to work to carve out a part of my life to discern the “appointed time.” No clock, no calendar, can tell me the time or the season. Only in conversation with God and those who love me can I properly discern the time.

Image Credit: joiseyshowaa on Flickr

YouthMassBand at this weekend's 11:45AM Mass

The following is a public service announcement:

This Sunday, August 19, the 11:45AM Mass will feature the YouthMassBand.  This group provides the music for the 6:00PM youth and family Mass, typically held on the first Sunday of the month from October to May.  Their style is praise & worship/contemporary.

See you at Mass!

Vacation Bible School: Day 4

Apollo the Caterpillar

In our penultimate VBS day we learned that no matter what happens, we can trust in God!

In the morning we learned the verse for the day: "I am convinced that [nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God."  This passage (maybe familiar because it was featured in yesterday's post in the music paragraph) is from Romans 8:38-39.

During the Bible story, we got to carry a real wooden cross as we learned about the crucifixion and the resurrection (Matthew 27:32-28:20).  Jesus trusted in God even in the midst of his very real pain and questioning.  We can do the very same!

Musically, we learned "We Can Trust Him" (track 10 or you can listen to a bit by pressing the play button next to the tittle).  This song, based on Psalm 33:43 reminds us that we can trust in God and in God's works.

Due to Friday's busy clean up, there will be no blog.  But check back next week for a final blog wrap-up piece.

Vacation Bible School: Day 3

Scout the Bald Eagle

Day 3 of Sky VBS saw us exploring how no matter what people do, we can trust in God!

In the morning, we learned the key verse (along with hand motions) taken from Isaiah 40:31 -- "But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles."

We began our two-day trek into the Paschal Mystery as we journeyed into the Garden of Gethsemane in search of Jesus and heard about his arrest and trial (Matthew 26:36-27:31). This story reminds us that Jesus faced betrayal and still trusted in God in the end.

Music brought out a slower song, "Nothing Could Keep Me From You," (track #4; or press the play button next to the song here) which is based on Romans 8:38-39.  This song and verse remind us that God's love breaks through all potentially divisive powers of the universe.

Come back tomorrow for installment #4 VBS blogging.

Vacation Bible School: Day 2

Orville the Flying Pig

During day 2 of Sky VBS, we learned that no matter how we feel, we can trust in God!

Our key verse for the day was taken from the Gospel of John, Chapter 14, verse 1 -- "Do not let your hearts be troubled, believe in God."

In our Amazing Blue Bible Adventures, we learned about the raising of Lazarus (John 11).  Even when we feel our worst (and who hasn't said "I feel dead!"), we can trust in God to bring us new life.

During music, we learned yet another catchy song, "Counting on God."  Listen to it on CD track 7 or click on the play button next to the song here.  No matter what's going on in our life, we can count on God to be there for us.

Check back tomorrow for more VBS fun!

Vacation Bible School: Day 1

Pat the Bat

At today's Sky VBS, we learned that no matter who we are, we can trust God!

Our key verse for the day was from 1 Samuel 16:7: "The LORD does not see as mortals see...the LORD looks on the heart."

We also heard about the faith of the Roman centurion from Matthew 8:5-13.  Jesus healed his daughter after Jesus saw the faith the Centurion had.  May we have that same faith in our lives!

During music, we learned "You, You, You," which you can listen to by clicking on the play button next to the title on this page.  This song reminds us that it doesn't matter who we are, we can trust God!

Visit tomorrow to see what we have in store for Day 2 of VBS!

Video: 40 Days

Check out this video of Matt Maher's Lenten song "40 Days" set to drawn images of Jesus in the desert.

Forty days to wander

Forty days to die to self

Forty days to grow stronger

Where do you need strength this Lent?  What do you seek as we wander together these forty days?

Classical Guitar Concert this Sunday at St. Mark (before the Game)

The St. Mark School Music Teacher, Chris Jenkins, will be giving a classical guitar concert this Sunday at 3PM in the Activities Center.  To get a feel for the type of music he'll be playing, take a listen to this clip:

Presentation of the Lord: a musical meditation

About Today

Today we Catholics celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas or the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin.  As required by Jewish law, Mary and Joseph went to the temple to pray and dedicate Jesus, the first born, to God.  In the temple, they ran into Simeon and Anna.  When he looked at Jesus, Simeon prayed the a prayer now prayed nightly in the Night Prayer, found in Luke 2:29-32 and reprinted below:

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people: 

a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

Musical Reflection
Sit back and take 4.5 minutes to listen to this musical reflection on the Presentation, a song called "Simeon's Joy" by Danielle Rose:


What kind of response do I give when I'm in God's presence?

Jesus' Big Question

What are you looking for?

Today's Gospel presents us with one of Jesus' biggest questions: "What are you looking for?"  If you're like those first disciples, you don't know how to answer, but instead switch the subject.  The disciples choose a topic that at first glance is a step up from asking about the weather; they ask where Jesus' is staying.  Christ responds "Come, and you will see."

We're presented with the opportunity to answer Jesus' big question.  What are you looking for?  And have you found it?  That reminds me of a song...


Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What the Star in the Christmas story can teach us

Here is a beautiful musical reflection on the significance of one star in the Christmas story.



How are we chosen to shine the light and show the way to Jesus?