You might have seen on the news that we’re getting a bit of snow in my neck of the woods today. Actually, it’s a blizzard, and I’ve been outside two times already this morning, keeping a path open for my dog Smokey to take care of his business, feeding the birds, and being sure the snow is kept away from my heating system. All good and important things to do when you live in Maryland in the midst of a “snow event.” We might get up to three feet of snow at my house, but it will all be over by Sunday afternoon.
Having grown up in snow deprived Southern California, I’ve come to enjoy and appreciate the snow. I like to open a window, just a crack, and listen to it fall. It does have a beautiful sound to it, hard to describe and subtle. Maybe it’s a bit like listening for God. We sometimes look for Him in the big sounds, like the crashing of the waves, or maybe the bang of thunder (see 1 Kings:11-13). But more often than not, God calls out to us in whispers, in small, almost imperceptible sounds, a bit like the snow falling outside my window right now.
My friend St. Ignatius would remind us that we can “find God in all things,” and all creation is called to bless Him. The prophet Daniel reminds us of this (Daniel 3:57-88). Together today, wherever you are, and no matter what the weather is like outside your window, let’s join in the song:
“Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord
Praise and exalt Him above all forever
Angels of the Lord bless the Lord.
You heavens, bles the Lord
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord
All you hosts of the Lord, Bless the Lord
Sun and Moon, Bless the Lord
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
Every shower and dew, bless the Lord.
All you winds, bless the Lord
Fire and Heat, bless the Lord
Cold and chill, bless the Lord
Dew and rain, bless the Lord
Frost and chill, bless the Lord
Ice and Snow, bless the Lord
Nights and days, bless the Lord
Light and darkness, bless the Lord
Lightings and clouds, bless the Lord
Let the earth bless the Lord
Praise and exalt Him above all forever.
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord
Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord
You sprints, bless the Lord
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord
You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord
You sons of men, bless the Lord.
O Israel, bless the Lord
Praise and exalt Him above all forever.
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord
Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord.
Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord.
Praise and exalt Him above all forever.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Let us praise and exalt Hom above all forever
Blessed are you Lord, in the firmament of heaven. Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever.”
