Called to be Noisy

A Reflection on the Psalm for May 16th, 2021:
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

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Psalm 47

R. God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy. For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth. 

R. God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. 

R. God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a Psalm. God is king over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. 

R. God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

I love the psalms because it was through music that I was brought back into the loving relationship that I now have with the Lord. Almost 35 years ago, I was invited to play guitar at a local parish. In my humanness, I thought I was being invited because the group needed a musician. Through my now unveiled eyes of faith, I understand that this was a divine invitation from the Lord that would place me on an amazing journey and sustain me through the potholes in the road ahead.

At first reading, I could understand this psalm to be God demanding that I praise Him, and in a way it is. And while all praise and glory absolutely belong to Him, He is not requiring this praise because He needs it. He wants me to praise Him so others will come to know that He is the source of my joy and strength. Throughout many life experiences, people have often commented on “my” strength. Have I sounded the trumpet loud enough for them to know that reliant on my own human strength, I would not have been able to endure even one of the hardships that befell me? That in the days after death, marriage breakdown, hardship, persecution, it was not me that was strong but rather the ever-present Spirit of God that dwells deeply within me that has been that strength and has given me everything that I need to be able to face another day? Probably not.

That is why the Lord reminds me through this psalm that I am called to be noisy and to live my faith out loud. Not just in the pew when the music ministry offers my favourite song of praise, or at a conference or Christian gathering, but in my daily actions: At work; with the person with whom I have casual conversation; in every decision I make and action I take. I am called to clap my hands and shout to God with loud songs of joy, to sound the trumpet, giving all the glory to Him for His wisdom and deeds.


Father God, let the song of my life be one of constant praise and witness to You. You are King of all the earth! Let all honour and glory for every goodness that You give me, even in times of sorrow and hardship, be a testimony to Your healing power, and may it inspire every person I encounter to be invited into a loving relationship with You. Amen.




Sandy Graves

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