Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Here I Am, Lord

The death of Jonathan Schulze, the Marine who recently committed suicide troubled me deeply. I was forced to question my own contributions to the war effort and if I'm doing enough to help those who return with damaged bodies and minds. I had to drive to a nearby city today, and all the way there and back, I thought about it. I must admit that I'm not doing enough and that God wants me to do better. I thought of this song we sang during Mass ... one of my favorites. It's a challenge to do more.

Genesis 46:2 "And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I."

"Here I Am, Lord"

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.

Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.


I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.

Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?

Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will send the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.

Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

Finest bread I will provide,
'Til their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?

Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

6 comments:

De'on Miller said...

I love this song too.

Semper Fi Mom said...

I love it too. I went on a Walk to Emmaus a few years ago and we sang this and I sobbed through the whole thing. It is still one of my favorites.

De'on Miller said...

That's how I learned it. On a Walk!

Semper Fi Mom said...

Somehow I'm not surprised! ;) Have you worked one? I did in August and it was wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Steve I just finished War and Remberance last night . What a great read. I start Mutuny on the Bounty tonight. I am going to read all of his works. I insist you read Mila 18. Every bit as good and just chilling. It is of the Warsaw Ghetto and how these people manage to fight and to live in spite of everthing. Virgie Bell

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you liked the book. It's one of my top five favorites. The Caine Mutiny is awesome, too.

About the Warsaw Ghetto ... rent "Piano Man." It's a great movie, based on an true story, about the Warsaw Ghetto. You'll love it.

I'll get Mila 18.