Everyday Inspiration

Hail Mary, Gentle Woman

2008-07-18T10:35:00.000-05:00

I have a special affinity for this song, since it was sung at the memorial service for my mother - sung by a good friend with a beautiful voice. I chose this song because it reminded me of my mother's heart.

There were several videos of this song, but this one is special to me because it shows a collection of Nativity art. I have always wanted to collect Nativities, and someday maybe I'll do it (when I have more room to store them).

Anyway, enjoy this beautiful song in honor of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and honoring all women as well.

Hail Mary: Gentle Woman - lyrics

Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
And blest is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners now,
And at the hour of our death. Amen.

Gentle woman, quiet light,
Morning star, so strong and bright,
Gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
Teach us wisdom, teach us love.

You were chosen by the Father,
You were chosen for the Son.
You were chosen from all women,
And for woman, shining one.

Gentle woman, quiet light,
Morning star, so strong and bright,
Gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
Teach us wisdom, teach us love.

Blessed are you among women,
Blest in turn all women, too.
Blessed they with peaceful spirits,
Blessed they with gentle hearts.

Gentle woman, quiet light,
Morning star, so strong and bright,
Gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
Teach us wisdom, teach us love.

Prayer of St. Francis

2008-07-17T22:19:00.003-05:00

This beautiful prayer of St. Francis is sung in this video. There is another version called "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" - maybe I'll post that one another day.

I really like the version sung here - I had not heard it before.

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amazing Grace

2008-07-17T20:47:00.000-05:00

Amazing Grace - sung by:

Judy Collins and the Boys' Choir of Harlem

This is one of my favorite songs.

Amazing Grace Lyrics

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
then when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

The Lord's Prayer

2008-07-16T20:31:00.001-05:00

The Our Father... out of the mouths of babes...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.

Amen

Be Not Afraid

2008-07-15T20:05:00.000-05:00

Be Not Afraid is a wonderful hymn that has inspired me through quite a few really tough spots.

Be Not Afraid - lyrics
written by Bob Dufford, S.J.

You shall cross the barren desert,
but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety,
though you do not know the way.

You shall speak your words in foreign lands,
and all will understand,
You shall see the face of God and live.

Be not afraid,
I go before you always,
Come follow Me,
and I shall give you rest.

If you pass through raging waters
in the sea, you shall not drown.
If you walk amidst the burning flames,
you shall not be harmed.

If you stand before the pow'r of hell
and death is at your side,
know that I am with you, through it all

Be not afraid,
I go before you always,
Come follow Me,
and I shall give you rest.

Blessed are your poor,
for the Kingdom shall be theirs.
Blest are you that weep and mourn,
for one day you shall laugh.

And if wicked men insult and hate you, all because of Me,
blessed, blessed are you!

Be not afraid,
I go before you always,
Come follow Me,
and I shall give you rest.