Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you.”

As we all so easily do, dad had just commented in front of the family, "The rain, more rain, it just keeps coming and coming."

Usually this is just small talk, not some well-considered remark about reality. But still, imagine dad's surprise when nine-year-old Ben pipes up: "Dad, you're complaining! Last summer it was because it was too dry; now it's raining. Why don't you just take things the way they are?"

No dad would expect that! We don't have to take dad too seriously or think of him as a chronic complainer to see wonderful insight in the boy’s remark. In fact, it may show some good, likely unconscious, teaching on the part of that same Dad. Enjoy the change in seasons, in the weather, and in life around us. Relish the diversity, and praise God as did the three Jews in the fiery furnace -- add your own praises:

“Bless the Lord, all rain and dew;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.

Bless the Lord, all you winds;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.

Bless the Lord, fire and heat;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.

Bless the Lord, winter cold and summer heat;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.

Bless the Lord, dews and falling snow;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.

Bless the Lord, nights and days;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.

Bless the Lord, light and darkness;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.

Bless the Lord, ice and cold;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.

Bless the Lord, frosts and snows;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.

Bless the Lord, lightning and clouds;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.”

(This is part of The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Jews, an addition to the book of Daniel, usually found in a separate section of the Hebrew Scripture in your Bible.) New Revised Standard Version.

Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”

Reply to Fr. Don at: DTalafous@csbsju.edu

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