“Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103
Yesterday God granted me the blessing of completing my fifth First Saturday. Definitely not tooting my own horn here. Anyone with ADHD knows how impossible the completion of any long term task can seem at times. I had tried many times before, but something always came up on one of the Saturdays to intervene. Something shinier? Perhaps… I can’t fully recall. Novenas too were hard… but the Lord in His great Mercy saw my littleness, my inability to get it done… and right at that spot of my brokenness, He healed it and gave me the strength to do it. I’m not claiming that my executive functions have been healed… just that each job that is required of me, can be handed over to Him and together we’ll accomplish it… of that I am confident.
Anyway, when I got home after Mass and Confession, I got on my treadmill (yay me), turned on YouTube, so I could listen while walking… the song ‘The Goodness of God’ was on my recommended list. It blew me away! I hope it blesses you as much as it did me.
I love You, Lord
Oh, Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of GodAnd all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of GodI love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
And in darkest night You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God, yeahAnd all my life You have been faithful, oh
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God, yeah‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me, oh-oh
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it keeps running after meAnd all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna sing
Oh, ’cause
‘Cause all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of GodWe love You for that
One for all my days
Oh how these words speak to me …“With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it keeps running after me..”
This surrendering is a requirement for the Kingdom, to let go of all the striving and desiring for more and just rest in Him. It’s what spiritual childhood is all about. And He gives us Our Blessed Mother to help us with this too… that’s her Motherly role in the Body of Christ.
#146 b-e of the Blue Book. “ And this is the measure of your littleness: that of Jesus who, 40 days after his birth, is carried to the temple in the arms of his mother. His eyes looking into mine, and He feels at peace. He sees nothing else, and he sleeps cradled on my heart, while the joy of giving peace, repose and love to the Child grows within me.
Beloved sons, you should let yourselves be carried by me. Only in this way will you become my perfect joy. Only in this way, can you feel secure.
And so in the cold, which more and more is chilling everything, you feel the warmth of my motherly affection; midst the insecurity which is now taking hold of everyone, you feel the shelter which my arms are for you. In the darkness which is becoming deeper, here for you is my light.
You too should look into my eyes, at the light which God gives you through your Mother.”
And to top it off, here’s a bit from today’s Gospel readings…
““Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.” – Mark 10:15-16