How Can I Keep from Singing?

Dear Members of the Parish,

Yesterday I attended the funeral of retired priest and colleague, John Thomas. John had served as the priest associate at St. John's, Newtonville for many years. I learned from the program and from his children that he was a musician and played the trumpet. His life was spent teaching his children and his parishioners about the value of life, about reaching out to those on the margins and about taking care of all of God's creation.
At the Offertory yesterday, a Choir made up of old friends and members of the congregation sang, "How can I keep from singing?" They sang it acapella. They were not professionals and it wasn't a polished performance. What struck me about their singing was their sincerity and their desire to convey the love they had for John and the love they had for music. I closed my eyes and let their voices wash over me:

While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that rock Im clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?

"Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?" This line typified John Thomas' life. It was a great message for me to hear and remind me once again that the power of love overcomes all adversity, all pain, all sadness, all injustice. The power of love spurs us on to do things we never thought possible and gives us courage to be God's hands and heart in the world.
Our lives should be an endless song of gratitude, of praise and thanksgiving to the One who made us all. Our lives should be an endless song that heralds peace and justice and good news to the poor, the lonely, and those who have lost hope. As you go through your week, I hope you will think of all the blessings God has given you and respond, "How can I keep from singing?"

In gratitude and faith,
Miriam