Mtr Mary Trainor

When the storms of life are raging
Stand by me …*

Dear friend,

Many of us grew up alongside Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll.

From his inauspicious childhood in Mississippi to his ignominious death in Tennessee at age 42, Elvis touched the lives of many people through his music. I am one of them.

I never went to a concert, but I bought his records (45rpm!) and also listened for him on the local AM radio station on my small transistor radio.

He may have been rock-and-roll royalty, but he knew very well the power of the one-and-only King.

In our Daily Office Gospel today from Matthew we get a closeup look at fear.

You likely know the story: In a boat with his disciples, Jesus falls asleep. A terrible storm arises. The disciples are greatly afraid and awaken him to deal with the storm: “We are perishing.”

I know that fear. Maybe you do, too. Elvis did, also. You can hear it in his voice on his several albums of sacred music. One song in particular comes to mind today: Stand By Me (YouTube video below.)

Not to be confused with the pop/soul classic of the same name, this Stand By Me—the words penned by Elvis—is a cry for God’s presence.

When the world is tossing me
Like a ship out on the sea
Thou who rulest wind and water
Stand by me.

I derive great comfort from these words. I sometimes use them as a prayer in the midst of tough and challenging circumstances.

When I do the best I can
And my friends misunderstand
Thou who never lost a battle
Stand by me.

Thou who never lost a battle, stand by me.

Mtr Mary

https://youtu.be/9Aqu8aLqHcU

Daily BreadMary TrainorOctober 7, 2023Daily BreadComment