Be a People of Praise!

Today’s second reading challenges us to give thanks always and for everything, be filled with the Spirit, and address all those we meet with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

In other words… be a people of praise! Praise God and praise others.

In our society, there’s lots of things to complain about and not praise… the weather, our jobs, our challenges, our frustrations, the economy, state of the world, wars, difficult coworkers and family members, and politicians we can’t stand. The list could go on and on. 

How often do you find yourselves in conversations with friends and family and the conversation goes south into criticism, complaining, and venting about other people? 

But in the midst of all of these negative things we find ourselves dealing with, there is goodness to be found in the ways God provides for us and sustains us each day. And, there is always something good and something praiseworthy to be found in every situation and person.

Where can you start? Here are four suggestions:

1. I made a decision a few years ago to mostly only listen to Christian music while driving. Everytime I get in the car, I’m filled with a sense of praise whether I want to praise God or not. Those songs over time change your perspective on all the negative things in your life. 
2. Every night I think of at least a few things I’m grateful for. It forces me to reflect on God’s goodness even on the hardest days. I’ve learned that there are always blessings to be found.
3. Through my Secular Franciscan vocation, I’ve committed to praying the Liturgy of the Hours, at least Morning and Evening Prayer. At its core, these prayers are praise. This routine keeps me praising God regardless of how I feel.
4. Find something good in every person. When faced with the most challenging or difficult person in your midst, challenge yourself to find something good and valuable in that person. A meditation to use to help facilitate this is: How does God see that person? What goodness did He create in them?
5. Go to mass and sing at mass! The mass itself is a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. And yes, sing. God doesn’t care how bad your voice is. Singing is praise. Get in the habit of praising God with the songs sung at mass and you’ll find it uplifts you.

Above all, find what works for you in creating a praise-filled life. These are just some suggestions, but the Church gives us many wonderful prayers and suggestions for being a people of praise. Use them to the fullest!