Song of The Week (4/19 - 4/25) - "Open Me" by: Shawn McDonald

"Open Me" Lyrics:

Would You open up eyes, so I can see

Would You open up my ears, so I can hear

Would You open up my mind, so I can know

Would You open up my heart, so I can love You more

I wanna serve You, my God

I wanna give everything

I wanna serve You, my King, yeah

I wanna serve You, my Lord

I wanna give You everything, yeah

Would You open up eyes, so I can see

Would You open up my ears, so I can hear

Would You open up my mind, so I can know

Would You open up my heart, so I can love You more

I wanna serve You, my God

I wanna give everything

I wanna serve You, my King, yeah

I wanna serve You, my Lord

I wanna give You everything, yeah

Here I am with my arms open wide

Asking for You to come up, up inside

Won't You make me new, won't You make me true

Jesus, won't You make me like You, oh

Will You touch my eyes, so I can see

Will You touch my ears, so I can hear

Will You touch my mind, so I can know

Will You touch my heart, so I can love You more

Won't You open me

Won't You open me

Won't You open me, yeah

Won't You open me

Reflection:

The song this week by Shawn McDonald is also a quite beautiful prayer. The song is a reminder that the closer we are in our relationship to God, the more our eyes, ears, mind, and heart are opened. Once we start thinking, seeing, and loving like God does, we are then fully living-out our Christian identity (our baptismal promises) and are then able to love and serve others because service is at the heart of Christianity. On Holy Thursday, we heard in the gospel reading that what Christ did for the Apostles, we are to do to each other (cf. Jn 13:12-20), i.e. to serve and love one another. Let us pray during this Easter season, may our hearts and minds be opened for us, to know God’s presence within our lives and within every individual, and to serve as Christ served.


John 13:12-15 – “So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow.”


1 Samuel 12:24 – “But you must fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart, for you have seen the great things the LORD has done among you.”


Mark 10:45 – “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”


Deacon Scott Hill

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (4/5 - 4/18) - "Because He Lives" by: Matt Maher

"Because He Lives" Lyrics:

I believe in the Son

I believe in the risen One

I believe I overcome

By the power of His blood

Amen, Amen

I’m alive, I’m alive

Because He lives

Amen, Amen

Let my song join the one that never ends

Because He lives

I was dead in the grave

I was covered in sin and shame

I heard mercy call my name

He rolled the stone away

Amen, Amen

I’m alive, I’m alive

Because He lives

Amen, Amen

Let my song join the one that never ends

Because He lives

I can face tomorrow

Because He lives

Every fear is gone

I know He holds my life my future in His hands

Amen, Amen

I’m alive, I’m alive

Because He lives

Amen, Amen

Let my song join the one that never ends

Amen, Amen

I’m alive, I’m alive

Because He lives

Amen, Amen

Let my song join the one that never ends

Because He lives

Because He lives

*Lyrics and Music are the property of the artists*

Reflection:

Alleluia! Christ has risen! This is the most holiest and glorious time of the year for Christians. I love seeing the Easter lilies at all the churches because not only are they beautiful, but they are a symbol of the resurrection. If Christ wasn’t raised from the tomb, our faith would be in vain. If Christ wasn’t raised from the tomb, then our sins are haven’t been forgiven, which then means we wouldn’t be able to enter into heaven.

However, that’s not the case. Jesus has been raised. Our sins have truly been forgiven and the gates of heaven have been opened for us. As Matt Maher sings, “I’m alive, I’m alive because he lives.” We are genuinely alive because our souls are dead to sin. Christ has defeated death, Alleluia! May all of you have a very blessed and holy Easter season.


1 Corinthians 15:55-57 – “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”


1 Peter 1:3-5 – “Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, he who in his great mercy gave us new birth; a birth unto hope which draws its life from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; a birth to an imperishable inheritance, incapable of fading or defilement, which is kept in heaven for you who are guarded with God’s power through faith; a birth to a salvation which stands ready to be revealed in the last days.”


Deacon Scott Hill

Our Lady of Victory Parish