Bridging the Gap

Bridging the Gap

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

In my article, 'Defending the Faith – Part 4', I recalled a hymn that I sang as a youth in Catholic grammar school entitled, 'An Army of Youth'. For this current article, I was reminiscing about a folk hymn the students sang in Catholic high school. This hymn can be adopted by our youth and all seniors. The hymn is entitled, 'Hear O Lord The Sound Of My Call'. The hymn has three verses and a chorus verse.

Let's begin with the chorus verse first.

Hear O Lord the sound of my call. Hear O Lord and have mercy. My soul is longing for the glory of you. Hear O Lord and answer me.

Aren't both youth and seniors calling on the Lord for assistance, forgiveness, mercy, and longing to see You? With the Parousia or Second Coming, we would be ushered into one of the many mansions of the Father's House. That would be the greatest blessing anyone could imagine. Ah, what a joyful experience that would be!!

Verse 1 is as follows.

Every night before I sleep, I pray my soul to take. Or else, I pray that loneliness is gone when I awake.

Teenagers feel this loneliness from their peers. Seniors feel this loneliness when their children leave the nest, their partner in life dies, or their partner has dementia or hearing problems which affects their communication skills. Maybe it would be a good idea if teens contacted seniors to check in on them once in a while especially when the death of a loved one occurs. Once again our souls long for the glory of Him.

Verse two is as follows.

Why do I no longer feel like I've a place to stay? O take me where someone will care, so fear will go away.

Yes, we find caring humans in this world, but, where else would we find a caring being? The Father, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and all the angels and saints are the perfect caring beings for teens and seniors. Teens and seniors should open a dialogue to the heavenly realm and feel the love, and tranquility that heaven has to offer while still on earth. Start now in your own humble words speaking to God. You will be talking to God through all eternity. At certain points in their lives teens are still trying to find their niche in the world, while seniors are getting lost in the shuffle of every day life, often forgotten that they even exist. It is reassuring to know that God still cares for all.

Verse three is as follows.

In you O Lord I place all my cares and all my troubles too. O grant Dear Lord that some day soon, I'll live in peace with you.

This verse exemplifies the old Baltimore Catechism question of Why did God make us? He made us to know, love, and serve Him and humanity in this world and be happy with Him forever in heaven. This is truly our destiny, but we must desire it over all earthly realities. On that day when our earthly tasks are complete, we will truly live in peace with God and all humanity.

Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe. Laus Deo. Deo Gratias. See you in
Paradise. Amen.