Caro Mio

I really don't need to know the lyrics of songs, but I assumed that "O, Mio Babbino Caro" must be a song about a mother's love of her baby. Mio = my, Caro = heart, Babbino = baby??? So when I did review the lyrics to both songs ("O, Mio Caro Babbino" and "Nessun Dorma") I was surprised to find that both songs speak of a deep, passionate longing for a romantic lover that may not be fulfilled. In both Puccini songs the lovers contemplate death as the only alternative if they cannot be with their beloved. What hopeless romantics! We shake our heads and mock them in sing-song tones, "I'll die if I can't be near him!" We roll our eyes. We've heard it before. My father would say we're forgetting what it's like to be young. We have a hard time relating to our teens when they seem all consumed with some boy/girl. We tell them: "It's a phase, it will pass. Go do homework for your career path; that's what will really pay off in the end. Feelings change, work remains. Someday you'll thank me."

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, We are familiar and comfortable to consider your love for us as: the love of a parent; the love of a brother; the love of a friend; the love of a savior; but as a passionate lover?? How surprising! How disconcerting! ...How lovely!

O God, caro mio, you seek us with a zeal of a love-struck youth.
You delight in time spent together; you anxiously endure time apart.
You rush to bridge any distance; you cling tightly once united.
You fawn over gifts offered; you bestow a dowry of riches.
You cherish every word prayed; you supply our unspoken needs.
You revisit memories shared; you visualize our future.
You marvel at our successes; you extend our potential.
You laugh at our stories; you cry at our distress.
You defend our honor; you believe in our goodness.

You, O God, are a passionate God! We are left swooning in your presence.

We are awestruck and humbled by your deep devotion.

Help us to be worthy of your abiding love in us.

Dearest God, we thank you for passion, for reckless love, for romantic hearts in place of moderation, safety and cynical hearts. We are blessed. Amen.