Sometimes the most secular of songs can speak to us
of the most spiritual of things.
We only need to strain our ear.

As we begin Day 2 of our online Lenten retreat,
let's listen to a popular song that may well be
God's song to each of us.

The song is "Firework," popularized by Katy Perry.
It's a song about believing in yourself.
But why we should believe in ourselves?
Where should our self-love and self-confidence come from?
We ought to believe in ourselves
because God believes in us.
The refrain of the song goes,
"You're a firework. Come on, show 'em what you're worth."

We get into trouble if we think
that the source of our light resides in ourselves.
This was Judas' mistake.

Our true worth resides in the esteem and love
that God reserves for us.
The light we must ignite and let shine is not ourselves,
but Jesus, the light of the world burning in us.

Listen to the song as your opening prayer,
imagining God speaking to you, but make no mistake about it:
Our value lies in the love that God pours upon us...

Dearest Lord,
As I begin this second day of my retreat,
I ask You to send me Your Holy Spirit
so that I may see my own worth and value myself
not for what or who I am alone
but for what and who I am in Your eyes.
Amen.