In Gloria Dei Patris

Came across this on Helen's blog and wasn't very impressed. All I wanted was for the music to stop so I could focus. I guess I'm not post-modern.

Anyway, for all those who are wondering if they're emerging, this is quite funny.

As for little me, I've been puzzling over the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 (Helens are great, this was sparkled by this one), and wondering how they relate to my life now that I'm no longer a miserable teenager living in a less than desirable home in a dry spiritual well. The first beatitude used to give me comfort - 'You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.' (As quoted from Helen's blog, from the Message).

All week I've been wondering how being happy and enjoying life fits with these verses, and, as it often does, Fridays instigated an answer. Mark T kicked off the short talks with a series of pictures of babies and Jesus, displayed to the amazing Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah (track 9 here if you need a reminder). The flip side to the Beatitudes suddenly made sense. When life is good, it's still about praising God, and blessing is still in abundance. The whole point of life with God is life in all its fulness - the amazingness of God came to live on earth as a tiny baby. Goodness is part of God's glory.

I'm glad for the last few years, because they've taught me not to expect that life will be easy, and I think I've developed some sort of deep down faith - the knowledge that whatever happens and however I feel, God is always there and he's always bigger than me and is to be praised. Life is teaching me another lesson at the moment: it's just as important to follow God in the good times, but no less worthy or challenging. Maybe it's time for different Beatitudes to be focused on. At the moment I feel 'blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.'

Talking of amazing music, Quoniam tu solus from the Nelson Mass by Haydn is another stunning piece:

Quoniam tu solus sanctus
Tu solus Dominus
Tu solus altissimus
Jesu Christe
In Gloria Dei Patris, Amen

For Thou only art holy,
Thou only art the Lord,
Thou only the most high,
Jesus Christ,
In the glory of God the Father, Amen