Bringing Heaven to Earth
This week contains two very special days that mean the world to me.
As most people know, Thursday is Thanksgiving day here in America. It is a day set aside for family, fellowship, and feeding our faces. Hehehe! Some of my favorite things!
In my home, we would all cook our favorite dishes and come together for the feast. When it came time for Grace or blessing the meal and the hands that had prepared it, we would first go around the table and declare what we were grateful for that year. It was a lovely tradition, although at some point I realized it caused a lot of angst for some of my family members.
They worried that their gratitudes may not be as good as others. Then there were other family members who would warm to their declarations and go on and on until we were all starving…but I digress. The point was to honor Gratitude as a state of mind and devote a whole day to it. A moment to really be still and count our blessings.
Monday, November 22 is the feast day of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music and singers. According to tradition, she “sang in her heart to the Lord.” Although, I am not catholic, I like the idea of celebrating a day devoted to music and someone so certain of the Divine Presence in her life she was willing to die for it. In art, St. Cecilia is often depicted playing the organ while looking up at Angels lovingly pouring lilies and roses down upon her. In fact, as I write today, just such a print of St. Cecilia looks over my shoulder. It was one of my mother's favorite things.
It is said that through her visions, St Cecilia brought a part of heaven to earth. I know, for me, this is what music has always done. It was part of my family tradition to worship through music. I also believe this is the true purpose of singing--to bring a part of heaven to earth.
So, my dear ones, this week remember to celebrate music and your voices, hold your loved ones close to your heart and count your blessings with deep gratitude and grace. Be on the lookout for those moments that bring part of heaven to earth. If you do, you might just see an Angel.
Quote of the Day:
Affirmation of the Day:
“But bright Cecilia raised the wonder higher:
When to her Organ vocal breath was given
An Angel heard, and straight appeared –
Mistaking Earth for Heaven.”
“I now allow gratitude and music to create a Divine symphony of my life.”
