tuning in (again)

Well, I'm back from our intercommunity novitiate program (where our topic was social justice) and just like last week, I'm exhausted. Also just like last week, I'm listening to music on my ipod (set to shuffle) and finding the thematic results interesting.

Song # 1 - Float On by Modest Mouse

Even if things get heavy we'll all float on
Alright already we'll all float on
Don't you worry we'll all float on
All float on

Song # 2 - In the Palm of Your Hand by Alison Krauss

But if I trust the One who died for me
Who shed His blood to set me free
If I live my life to trust in You
Your grace will see me through

I'd rather be in the palm of Your hand
Though rich or poor I may be
Faith can see right through the circumstance
Sees the forest in spite of the trees

Song # 3 - Dona Nobis Pacem by Gregory Norbet

This one's an instrumental, but the title of course means "Grant us Peace."

Song # 4 Imagine by John Lennon

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

Song # 5 I had No Right by Dar Williams (coincidentally this is a song about Dan Berrigan, SJ who I've had the opportunity to hear preach a few times this past year)

I had no right but for the love of you
I had no right but for the love of you

Song # 6 - I’ll Keep it With Mine by Bettie Servert (actually a cover of a Bob Dylan song)

You will search,
At any cost.
But how long, babe,
Can you search for what's not lost?

So what's the overarching theme? These songs touched a theme that's been in my prayer of late. Things sometimes get heavy - in my own life, in the drama of the novitiate, in the geopolitical troubles in the world. I worry. I wonder. I find myself searching and searching for meaning - true to my personality type. But the only answer I ever find is love, trust, peace, living life. I come to prayer with all these thoughts and wonderings and worries, and Jesus says to me: "Can worrying add a single moment to your life-span? ... Don't worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil."

Essentially it's a message to chill out, to trust, to be in the present moment. Like most people I suppose, it takes me a while to get the message. I'm guessing it will take an entire lifetime!