I really do like writing this blog. My mother recently called me a God-botherer, which is rich, considering she converted fron the Cof E the Catholocism to bring her children up in the Church. I think this is because I called a priest to give her the Sacrament of the Sick after a recent and very grave spell in hospital. My sisters' husband took quite an exception to this too, although absolutely none of his beeswax....
At least I can write this in peace, I haven't had any comments, adverse or otherwise, unlike the time I appeared in the press for a complaint I made to a supermarket...Phew talk about knives out! You should have seen the number of inarticulate insults I got, but that's another story.
There are so many lovely things to remember in life, like my baby son handing out pickled onions to everyone at his Nana's birthday party, and when my 5 year old makes me laugh when he still says, 'Ozzerwise' and 'Lellow' from babyhood.
But I have chosen, definitely, one of the hymns for my funeral. I know this sounds weird but in the past year, I have grieved and had to face death and illness of people close to me and chosen/listened to some very poignant hymns. When I'm at Mass I'm often reduced to tears by hymns, and the St Anne Mass (Macmillon) which is most touching when sung by the fantastic choir at St Marie Cathedral in Sheffield.
It's awful, the more embarrassed you feel the worse you can control the tears. I got huge comfort when I read that St Augustine, a noted former sinner but a great reformed person/speaker/writer, said that sung hymns overcame him and reduced him to tears. He famously said that, 'He who sings prays twice' and I was taught at school that the greatest praise for God was when you sing enthusiastically.
Anyway, back to the point..my hymn of choice is Psalm 23, The Lord's My Shepherd. Sung by the Kentwood Choir. The solemnity, pathos and beauty of the singers is breathtaking to me and it has been on repeat in the car now for two days (my poor children!).
PS. I prefer the above version, although there are a couple of more contemporary ones you can see if you Google this Psalm.
At least I can write this in peace, I haven't had any comments, adverse or otherwise, unlike the time I appeared in the press for a complaint I made to a supermarket...Phew talk about knives out! You should have seen the number of inarticulate insults I got, but that's another story.
There are so many lovely things to remember in life, like my baby son handing out pickled onions to everyone at his Nana's birthday party, and when my 5 year old makes me laugh when he still says, 'Ozzerwise' and 'Lellow' from babyhood.
But I have chosen, definitely, one of the hymns for my funeral. I know this sounds weird but in the past year, I have grieved and had to face death and illness of people close to me and chosen/listened to some very poignant hymns. When I'm at Mass I'm often reduced to tears by hymns, and the St Anne Mass (Macmillon) which is most touching when sung by the fantastic choir at St Marie Cathedral in Sheffield.
It's awful, the more embarrassed you feel the worse you can control the tears. I got huge comfort when I read that St Augustine, a noted former sinner but a great reformed person/speaker/writer, said that sung hymns overcame him and reduced him to tears. He famously said that, 'He who sings prays twice' and I was taught at school that the greatest praise for God was when you sing enthusiastically.
Anyway, back to the point..my hymn of choice is Psalm 23, The Lord's My Shepherd. Sung by the Kentwood Choir. The solemnity, pathos and beauty of the singers is breathtaking to me and it has been on repeat in the car now for two days (my poor children!).
The 23rd Psalm
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.-- KJV
PS. I prefer the above version, although there are a couple of more contemporary ones you can see if you Google this Psalm.
