"He was noted for unfailing care for his parishioners, bringing the sacraments to them when they were ill, and providing food and clothing for those in need....Never a healthy man, he died of consumption at the early age of 39."
On this Saint George Herbert's Day, I pledge myself to unfailing care of the Beaker Folk. I shall take tea lights to those who are ill. I shall provide pebbles and food for those in need. I shall mop their consumptive, romantic brows. I shall be unstinting in the time I put into this sacred mission. And then, when the day's labours of care are o'er, I shall long bother the night watches with the composition of metaphysical poetry.
Thank goodness it's only one day a year. I'm dreading it. Not surprised it killed George Herbert
A man that looks on glass,
ReplyDeleteon it may stay his eye;
or if he pleaseth, through it pass,
and then the heaven espy.
You can say that again.
DeleteA man that looks on glass,
ReplyDeleteon it may stay his eye;
or if he pleaseth, through it pass,
and then the heaven espy.
Sorry to ruin the mood, but
ReplyDelete“She's the sort of woman who lives for others - you can tell the others by their hunted expression.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
Its easy to be a faithful little sunbeam for three years in the priesthood. I'd like to see what kind of saintly role model of a parish priest he was after thirty-three years. He may well have succumbed to cynicism, weariness, bickering with the verger and fatty degeneration of the poetical faculties by then.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I adore the man's poetry.....