Song of The Week (8/31 - 9/6) - "Greater" by: MercyMe

CLICK THE LINK to download "Greater" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/welcome-to-the-new/id825091802

"Greater" Lyrics

Bring your tired
Bring your shame
Bring your guilt
Bring your pain
Don’t you know that’s not you’re name
You will always be much more to me

Every day I wrestle with the voices
That keep telling me I’m not right
But that’s alright

‘Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed
When others say I’ll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

Bring your doubts
Bring your fears
Bring your hurt
Bring your tears
There’ll be no condemnation here
You are holy, righteous and redeemed

Every time I fall
There’ll be those who will call me
A mistake
Well that’s ok

There’ll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn’t matter
‘Cause the cross already won the war
He’s Greater
He’s Greater

I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how He sees me
And it makes me love Him more and more
He’s Greater
He’s Greater

Reflection:

"Every day I wrestle with the voices that keep telling me I'm not right." What a powerful line in what is a powerful song of affirmation and reassurance of how much God loves us, how much He promises to stand with us and how much He accepts us as his children. In Greater, MercyMe sings of our struggles in life and echoes what we often feel at times that "there'll be days I lose the battle. Grace says that it doesn't matter; cause the cross already won the war..." In the end, Christ is the Greater we seek, for He is greater than our doubts, greater than our fears and greater than our disappointments. When we live His Truth, we can "...run freely, understanding just how he sees me and it makes me love him more and more..."


Galatians 5:1: "For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery."

Ephesians 1:3-6: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love 5he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved."



Rev. Gary Janak

Pastor
Our Lady of Victory Cathedral

Song of The Week (8/24 - 8/30) - "Cry Out To Jesus" by: Third Day

CLICK THE LINK to download "Cry Out To Jesus" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/itunes-session/id773461000

"Cry Out To Jesus" Lyrics

To everyone who's lost someone they love

Long before it was their time

You feel like the days you had were not enough

when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains

Keeping you back from your life

You believe that there's nothing and there is no one

Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless

Rest for the weary

Love for the broken heart

There is grace and forgiveness

Mercy and healing

He'll meet you wherever you are

Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on

They lost all of their faith in love

They've done all they can to make it right again

Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains

You try to give up but you come back again

Just remember that you're not alone in your shame

And your suffering

When your lonely

And it feels like the whole world is falling on you

You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus

Cry to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone

Wiping the tears from her eyes

For the children around the world without a home

Say a prayer tonight

**Third Day Lyrics and songs are property and copyright of their owners**

Reflection:

"Cry Out to Jesus" is one of those songs which offers something for all of us. We all struggle in our lives, regardless of what the particular circumstances might be for us. As this powerful song indicates, whether it is addictions, grief, illness, brokenness, relationship problems, economic struggles, loneliness and so many more, with Jesus "There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary, love for the broken heart. There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing. He'll meet you wherever you are, Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus." In Jesus there is hope. In our daily struggles, we pray and cry out to Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18: "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

1 Peter 1:3: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time."

Rev. Gary Janak

Pastor
Our Lady of Victory

Song of The Week (8/17 - 8/23) - "Times" by: Tenth Avenue North

CLICK THE LINK to download "Times" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/itunes-session-ep/id583433678

"Times" Lyrics:

I know I need You

I need to love You

I'd love to see You but it's been so long 

I long to feel You

I feel this need for You

I need to hear You

Is that so wrong

Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh 

Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh 

Now You pull me near You

When we're close I fear You

Still I'm afraid to tell you all that I've done 

Are You done forgiving

Or can You look past my pretending, Lord

I'm so tired of defending what I've become

What have I become

Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh 

Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh 

Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh 

Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh 

Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh 

I hear You say

My love is over

It's underneath

It's inside

It's in between 

The times that you doubt me

When you can't feel

The times that you question

Is this for real 

The times you're broken

The times that you mend

The times you hate me

And the times that you bend 

Well my love is over

It's underneath

It's inside

It's in between 

The times that you're healing

And when your heart breaks

The times that you feel like you've fallen from grace 

The times you're hurting

The times that you heal

The times you go hungry and are tempted to steal 

In times of confusion

In chaos and pain

I'm there in your sorrow under the weight of your shame 

I'm there through your heart-ache

I'm there in the storm

My love I will keep you by my power alone 

I don't care where you've fallen or where you have been

I'll never forsake you

My love never ends

It never ends, mmmm

Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh

Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh

**Tenth Avenue North Lyrics and songs are property and copyright of their owners**

Reflection:

The Christian group, Tenth Avenue North, provides us with a unique and compelling song portraying the struggle we all encounter at times in knowing how much we need and love God, but so often failing to turn to our Lord and Healer. In the process, we ache and an inner emptiness overwhelms us. When we take the time to listen, we can hear God speak to us and say, "In times of confusion, In chaos and pain, I'm there in your sorrow under the weight of your shame. I'm there through your heart-ache, I'm there in the storm, My love I will keep you by my power alone." We often feel rejected and unworthy, but this is not from God, it is from us. We question whether or not we can ever be forgiven and wonder if we are perhaps even forgotten. Yet, God's presence echoes within us and wants us to hear Him say, "I don't care where you've fallen or where you have been. I'll never forsake you. My love never ends..."


Romans 5:3-8: "Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, 4and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us."

1 John 4:16-19: "We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. We love because he first loved us."

Rev. Gary Janak

Pastor

Our Lady of Victory

Song of The Week (8/10 - 8/16) - "From The Inside Out" by: Hillsong United

CLICK THE LINK to download "From The Inside Out" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/united-we-stand-live/id716608108

"From The Inside Out" Lyrics:

A thousand times I've failed

Still your mercy remains

Should I stumble again

Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades

Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame

Your will above all else

My purpose remains

The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades

Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame

In my heart, in my soul

I give you control

Consume me from the inside out

Let justice and praise

Become my embrace

To love you from the inside out

Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades

Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame

And the cry of my heart is to bring you praise

From the inside out

Lord my soul cries out

Reflection: 

“Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” These are the first words from the beginning of the Book of Ecclesiastes (Ecc. 1:2). The author is reminding us that in the end, all of this, this world, will pass away. However, there are some lines in our song of the week that remind us that God’s love and mercy will always remain. “Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades. Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame.” I know it can be difficult at times, but we can take great comfort that no matter what we are going through in life, the good times and the bad, God’s love will always remain. When everything else seems to have faded, when it appears that we are surrounded by darkness and nothing is going right in our life, God’s love will always shine through. That is what we hang our hope and faith on. We may not feel God’s presence with us and we may not feel His love at times, especially during our trials, but it’s there. God is always with us. Our faith teaches us that God will never abandon us. Never. When all else fades, God is still there.

Deuteronomy 31:8 – “It is the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed.”

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Deacon Scott Hill
Our Lady of Victory

Song of The Week (8/3 - 8/9) - "Burning In My Soul" by: Matt Maher

CLICK THE LINK to download "Burning In My Soul" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-the-people-said-amen-live/id634140898

"Burning In My Soul" Lryics:

There is power, power

Here in this hour, this hour

We're all together, together

Waiting here as one

Whoa, hear the sound from Heaven

Whoa, a mighty rushing wind

Whoa, we're calling for revival

God let Your fire fall again

It's burning in my soul...

All Your sons and Your daughters

Dreaming the dreams of the Father

Seeing the signs and the wonders

The Kingdom of God

I cannot contain it

This fire inside

I cannot contain it

So let it shine

I cannot contain it

This light of mine

**MATT MAHER lyrics are property and copyright of their owners**

Reflection:

Fifty days after Easter, the Apostles were gathered in prayer but they still had not yet preached to the Jews.  Jesus had just ascended to heaven and the Apostles were a little timid and unsure of what to do next.  Then, in chapter 2 of Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit descends from heaven upon them and filled them with the desire to preach about the life and teachings of Christ.  Their message was so powerful and the Apostles were so alive and on fire for Christ, they converted 3,000 in one day! (cf. Acts 2:1-42).

This is what the Holy Spirit does to us when we allow Him.  When we surrender ourselves to God and pray to Him, God will console us with the Holy Spirit and drive us out of ourselves and into doing incredible things.  This is the meaning behind Matt Maher’s song: “God let your fire fall again” and “I cannot contain it, this fire inside…”  At our baptism and confirmation, the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon us.  Don’t waste this precious and life-giving gift.  Be unafraid and let the Holy Spirit set you on fire for the Lord.

Romans 5:5 – “Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? …For God’s temple is holy and that temple you are.”

Deacon Scott Hill
Our Lady of Victory