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Measure in Love

Editor’s Note: Missioner Erin McHugh adapts the lyrics of a well-known song to reflect her experiences during her first few months on mission in Jamaica.

I’m sure many of you have heard the song “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway musical Rent. I have heard this song several times in the last month as we are using it with the girls from grades 9 and 10, at Immaculate Conception High School, in their days of recollection, a day away from their normal school schedule to reflection on their relationship with themselves, others, and God. This year’s theme has been all about love and making your journey’s mission love.

These first couple months have been filled with much frustration and exhaustion as I try to find my place in Jamaica.These feelings can be common as a new missioners, processing through a huge time of transition, but I am taking everything one step at a time and with God’s grace working through it. In really listening and reflecting on this song, I found it to be God answering my many prayers for help. This song gave me peace and reminded me of my mission here – to simply spread love.

After hearing it several times, I began to change the words to relate to my time in Jamaica. I know the words don’t completely fit with the tune, but this it what I came up with:

963, 601 minutes,

963, 601 moments so dear,

963, 601 minutes

How do I measure my time on mission?

In bus rides I take – In miles I walk

In students I help – In papers I grade

In food bags I stuff- In children I feed

In laughter -In strife

In 963, 601 minutes

How do I measure my time on mission?

How about Love?

Measure in Love

Seasons of Love

963, 601 minutes

963, 601 journeys to plan

963, 601 minutes

How do I measure my time on mission?

In Truth that I learn

Or in Nights that I cry

In the hopes that I have

Or the ways that I fail

It’s Time Now- To sing out

Know God’s always there

Let’s Celebrate

Remember the joys you’ve had

Oh I got to I got to remember the love,

I know that love is a gift from up above

Share love, give love, spread love

Measure, measure my life in love

Seasons of Love

Measure my time of mission in love

As I continue to listen to this song in the coming days of recollection, I will reflect on how I can spread love and become a loving presence among the community that I serve. God calls each of us to seek humility, service, and love, so I pray every day that love will inspire and dictate my every action. Pope Francis says, “Love is our Mission”, so that is what I am striving to do every day here in Jamaica.

Enjoy a video from the students’ performance below:

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/GEVEPcEHUNs”]

If you’re reading this in an email, click here to watch the video.

Reflection Questions: Does love inspire and dictate your every action? How can you make love your journey’s mission?

Posted On: May 18, 2016/Archive, Mission and Service

Tagged in:

mission, love, inspiration, Jamaica, Kingston, class 31, seasons of love

Erin McHugh

Erin McHugh has a strong passion for working with children and a heart for those living in poverty. After serving in South Africa last summer with Experience Mission, Erin is looking forward to building relationships and immersing herself in a new culture through Franciscan Mission Service. While her family now lives in Cincinnati, OH, Erin has roots in her hometown of Louisville, KY. Before pursuing her calling for international mission work, Erin attended Butler University for two years. There she was involved with the Butler Catholic Community and was co-chair of the service committee. Erin has been in Guatemala since January 2017.