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January 23, 2010 - How Can I Keep From Singing?

by Father Edward L. Beck, C.P.

Ena Zizi had gone to the Cathedral to pray as she had so many times before. It must have been a powerful prayer. As Ena knelt praying the earth began to shake as the walls of the cathedral came tumbling down on her. The 69 year old woman was trapped for SEVEN days under the rubble of the Haitian National Cathedral.  When she was finally pulled from the destruction, rescuers said Ena was SINGING.  They were so overcome that many started crying, proclaiming it a miracle.  Stories such as Ena's are certainly a boost to our sagging spirits as the devastation in Haiti continues to unfold.  There are, of course, tens of thousands who weren't as blessed.  Or, is that the wrong word?  Does it have anything to do with blessing?  Does God reward some and punish others?  Why Ena saved and not a two year old child with her whole life ahead of her?  There are no easy answers.  Most of us don't believe it's about blessing or punishment, despite the crazy ranting of Pat Robertson types.  But we do believe that the power of love that is God and the human spirit has not abandoned the Haitian people.  That's why they continue to pray and sing in the streets, despite being left with nothing.  We can learn a lot from them. We who are so blessed, or lucky, or fortunate, or whatever you want to call it.  Life is precarious, and sometimes with no rhyme or reason.  It can all come tumbling down on us.  Maybe it helps to think of Ena, broken but not defeated.  Singing.  You know that old spiritual, HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?  No storm can shake my inmost calm when to that rock I'm clinging.  Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing? Ena no doubt knew that one.

To watch Father Beck give the above Reflection, click here.