« Keep It Off My Wave! »

“Hate, if you want to hate
If it keeps you safe
If it makes you brave….

Don't come over here…Chris Cornell
Save it just keep it
Off my wave.”

“Keep It Off My Wave” is a hard-driving, heavy and invigorating track from Soundgarden’s 1994 album, “Superunknown.” Singer/writer Chris Cornell uses the image of his own personal “wave” to be his momentum in life: his spirituality, his attitude, his relationships, his world.

And the implied warning to those who might interfere is forceful: Whatever destructive thing you might be doing, that’s your business. Keep it away from me. In the end, there is negativity and there are damaging forces—even people—that can creep into our lives and wreak havoc. There are things that distract and derail us, so we’ve got to be protective of what’s vital, precious and close to our hearts. We cannot be hostages to hate, anger, fear, or any purveyors of such. This is all important.

On the other hand, you and I are challenged by Christ to be loving, open and forgiving—to help those who have trapped themselves in dark places … to love even destructive people. We are a “tomorrow people”: We believe in transformation, forgiveness, second chances, endless hope, change, personal epiphanies. We must be risk-takers to the end, just like our Lord. We are believers in God and all that He made.

So how do we handle this seeming contradiction, this tension in our lives? Especially with Lent coming later this month (Feb. 27), it’s vital to strive for personal peace and build our relationship with Christ. On a certain level, we’re no good to anyone without this. We need to be protective of this. But if we work hard on ourselves—then we might just be able to help others as well. This gives us an extra incentive to nurture our own spiritual lives. Knowing that others, on a certain level, are counting on us, should spur us on. We all belong to one another within God’s loving embrace. Christ never gave up on anyone. Nor should we.

In the end, your personal spirituality, your commitment to Christ, and your hopeful attitude constitute a powerful wave, one driven by the Holy Spirit. It’s not to be tampered with. It must be respected. It must be guarded.

But its great momentum is not only for you to ride--but also the world.

Wishing you a powerful and productive Lent,

Fr. Alex

Hear the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWdP8B4BHss