Spirit Spot Shuffle

By Ken Canedo

Whither Spirit Spot? Seems like this once lively feature has slowed down for the summer. Fear not! There's nothing a little inspiration can't fix, and so I turn to the modern world's source of random wisdom, the iPod shuffle. Ready? I have placed my headphones on and am spinning the wheel to select "Shuffle Songs." Here goes!

"All Apologies" by Nirvana
Okay, this is the first song to pop up. How weird is that? I suppose apologies are in order. All four of us Spirit Spotters are in the midst of one of the busiest summers ever. Sarah Hart is promoting her just-completed secular album, Road to Ohio, and she'll be involved in the High School Youth Conferences sponsored by Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. Robert Feduccia is getting ready to hit the road, first to the One Bread, One Cup conference at St. Meinrad, Indiana, followed by a momentous journey to World Youth Day in Australia. Tom Booth is working on two, count 'em, two new albums: his own and a dynamite debut CD by Jackie Francois. Wait 'til you hear the killer tracks! And I'm in the studio myself for my new OCP CD Doxology, even as I prepare to go to One Bread, One Cup next week. Did I mention that I'm writing a book?

So, this is an insanely busy summer, but that's no excuse. I'll keep on prodding the crew to create.

"Just a Touch of Love" by C+C Music Factory (from the Sister Act soundtrack)
Yes, I agree, love is the answer. What was the question?

You Alone by Sarah Hart
You ever hear the old expression, "God is in the details"? I'm beginning to think God is in my iPod! How else can I explain how this song popped up? This is one of Sarah's earliest spiritandsong hits, and it remains one of her best-loved songs, sung at Reconciliation Services, during Lent, at youth retreats, Eucharistic Adoration, and any time a praying community is looking for music to jump-start its introspection. A favorite of my parish youth choir, I never cease to be amazed at the power of this song to soothe the savage soul. In the midst of the hectic pace of today's world, Sarah's words, sung so sweetly, help me put my life in a God-perspective:

You alone are holy. You alone are Lord.
You alone are worthy to be honored and adored.
Mercy You have given, kindness You have shown.
Love is You alone.

Lord, please give us a Spirit of peace this summer. No matter how busy or preoccupied we get, may we always remember that You alone are the center of our lives.

(Note: This really happened! My iPod truly selected the above three songs randomly. I promise you no manipulation occurred and no animals were harmed in the production of this Spirit Spot.)