Two things brought me to tears at the computer this morning.
The first was this moving account by Joshua Claybourn of his mother’s last day.
And the second is the lyric to this beautiful and new-to-me Communion hymn:
"These I Lay Down"
Before I take the body of my Lord,
before I share his life in bread and wine,
I recognise the sorry things within:
these I lay down.
The words of hope I often failed to give,
the prayers of kindness buried by my pride,
The signs of care I argued out of sight:
these I lay down.
The narrowness of vision and of mind,
the need for other folk to serve my will,
and every word and silence meant to hurt:
these I lay down.
Of those around in whom I meet my Lord,
I ask their pardon and I grant them mine
that every contradiction of Christ’s peace
might be laid down
Lord Jesus Christ, companion at this feast,
I empty now my heart and stretch my hands
and ask to meet you here in bread and wine
which you lay down.
I always loved how in the Catholic Mass, just before Communion is served, the people echo the words of the believing centurion: “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you. But only say the word and I shall be healed.” We come to the Table, to the place of healing, and receive the grace that we hunger for.
domine, non sum dignus. how true!
I am glad to see that you are feeling better. please keep taking care of yourself.
Posted by: alicia the midwife | August 27, 2004 at 07:10 PM