A Spiritual Reflection on the life of Whitney Houston

The Examiner ^ | 2/14/12 | Joseph Speranzella

[Catholic Examiner]

Two events will mark this year's Grammy awards, the never thought possible reunion of the Beach Boys and the Two events will mark this years Grammy awards, the never thouhght possible reunion of the Beach Boys and the death of the 80's diva Whitney Houston. One might wonder what would interest a religious writer about this celebrity's life and death. Let's just say it offers a cautionary tale.

[World'sGoneInsane]

IMHO, no one has ever sung the national anthem since Whitney Houston paid tribute to the troops serving in the Gulf.

She was a gifted performer, and it was sad to see her and her family suffer then and now.

[World'sGoneInsane]

Whitney started out as a “church girl”.

She did not forget where she came from. She was very altruistic. The final tribute paid to her will be back at the church she sang at. These are the people who knew her gift before the rest of the world.

[Private_Sector_Does_It_Better]

I am so disappointed with what I’m seeing on thread. I’m not star struck and don’t mourn her passing more or less than any the death of any of Gods children. But to read things in the vein of “just another dead junkie” on what I had thought was a Christian website saddens me.

Jesus made it very clear that if we judge others in an absence of grace, we will not receive his grace.

We are all hopelessly flawed and fall short of what God demands from us. Her failings may have more dramatic than those posting such things but none of us deserve Gods grace. This is the amazing thing about God’s grace; it’s forgiveness we don’t deserve. And God’s grace knows no limits.

And by the way, the last song she sung publicly was an impromptu rendition of “Jesus Loves me.” I have sinned too many times to judge her. I need God’s grace.

[bray]

The liberal cult leads to hopelessness, emptiness and death. Welcome to obamaville.

Pray for America

[Anti-Hillary]

Amen! I watched an interview with one of her best friends today (who is a pastor), who said she loved Jesus but was a tortured soul and that she called this friend several times a week to pray. Talked to her the day she died and she had gospel music on in the background. Addiction is a powerful thing. On many occasion she publicly professed Christ. We will never know for sure until we get there, but I believe she is free from her chains and is singing praises to her savior.

[oprahstheantichrist]

"...the last song she sung publicly was an impromptu rendition of “Jesus Loves me.”

What were the odds of that? Her “last performance” could have been any one of a thousand songs.

I received that as The Lord’s gift to Whitney’s mom; assuring her that her daughter is safe and with Him now, TRULY “free at last.”

[NCLaw441]

Thank you for those words. I have no use for most celebrities beyond the talents they offer, but they, like us, are human. While I have not been involved in drug use, I am far from perfect. I regret that so many can wave off the loss of a human life so coldy, with insults and name-calling on the way out. There is no need to celebrate her failings, but a little compassion, or simply keeping quiet if that is not possible, seems in order...

[Private_Sector_Does_It_Better]

Well said NClaw!!

[Catholic Examiner]

Thanks for the great conversation and insight.

Blessings to you all,

Joe