Eye has not seen

I have a constant loop of Catholic hymns playing in my head, songs from my youth that insert themselves into my thoughts and give me pause throughout the day.  I suppose 12 years of Catholic education, 7 years of teaching in Catholic schools,  and many years of attending Catholic mass will do that to a person.

Although I no longer identify myself as a practicing Catholic, the songs remain written on my heart. I'm usually overjoyed when I attend a United Methodist service somewhere and one of the hymns from my childhood is played.  "That's one of ours!" I say, nudging my husband and pointing at the hymnal.

In times of high and low emotion, I lean on these songs and their ancient words.  This week is one of those low times.  The song playing in my head these days is Eye Has Not Seen by Marty Haugen, taken from 1 Corinthians 2:9-10. 

Praying comfort and peace for those who have lost loved ones recently.  May you feel God's love through his people this week, whether you are grieving a loss or just getting through your day.  

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Refrain:

Eye has not seen,
ear has not heard
what God has ready
for those who love him;
Spirit of love, come,
give us the mind of Jesus,
teach us the wisdom of God.

(1) When pain and sorrow weigh us down,
be near to us, O Lord,
forgive the weakness of our faith,
and bear us up within your peaceful word. (Refrain)

(2) Our lives are but a single breath,
we flower and we fade,
yet all our days are in your hands,
so we return in love what love has made. (Refrain)

(3) To those who see with eyes of faith,
the Lord is ever near,
reflected in the faces
of all the poor and lowly of the world. (Refrain)

(4) We sing a mystery from the past
in halls where saints have trod,
yet ever new the music rings
to Jesus, Living Song of God. (Refrain)

Text: 1 Cor 2:9-10

Composer: Marty Haugen (1982)

Video and words taken from http://cantusmundi.blogspot.com.