Categories: friends, other-churches
Date: 13 October 2007 11:17:07
This afternoon it was off to Manly beach to catch up with my friend from the US who is out here; he loves the beach, and beach volleyball in particular. Neither particularly appeal to me, but spending time with friends is a blessing so off I went. I did play a bit: I have the sore arms to prove it. Unfortunately I'm not very skilled in sporting activities, nor overly co-ordinated; every time I hit the ball I fell over. It was nice to have a shower when I got home and clear it out of my nose, ears, face and hair. I imagine I took a significant part of the beach home. It was a fun afternoon though.
This morning I had been to St Francis of Assisi, Paddington for their transferred Patronal Feast. As always, a beautiful Mass: beautiful singing by the choir, and congregation, ably accompanied by an organ, two trumpets and two trombones; an informative, entertaining and challenging sermon on St Francis; and the beauty of the offering of the Mass [even though I could not partake I find the participation in the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving a blessing indeed] -- the bread and wine which become the blessed body and blood of our Lord for us, to sustain, comfort and help us on the way.
I heard, for the first time, the Festival Cantata Rejoice in the Lamb, at least parts one to four which were sung. An "interesting" cantata with some interesting turns of phrase [it is taken from a poem Christopher Smart [1722-1771] wrote while in an insane asylum] -- "For I will consider my cat Jeoffry"; "For the Mouse is a creature of great personal valour"; "Let Jakim with the satyr / Bless God in the dance / Dance, dance, dance" -- , though it is also beautiful and rather ecstatic in its praise of God. Benjamin Britten [1913-1976] did truly compose a beautiful setting for it: and one that fits so very well with the strange and intense words.
As well as Rejoice in the Lamb which was sung by the talented choir, the hymns All Creatures of Our God and King -- based on St Francis' Canticle of the Sun, and one of my favourite hymns: and the tune, Lasst uns erfruen is superb -- and Holy God we praise your name.
A wonderful day: praise and thanks be to God!