Seven whole days

Readers of 7WD will know that we had a vested interest in the outcome of Lent Madness. We were thrilled to see George Herbert squeak past Julian of Norwich for the Golden Halo Award and the “Holier Than Thou” title. Blogging friend Bob Chapman suggested this video as a potential postgame show. The text is fantastic and the overly dramatic reading is ideal. But I think this one is even better. After all, how often do you get to watch George Herbert himself read his own poem?

UPDATE: A short while ago, Julian conceded the contest, as George managed to keep a small lead in the final hours of the polling. Details here.

This will be my final post in a series promoting the cause of Blessed George Herbert. No, I’m not pushing him for official canonization. As most 7WD readers will know, I’ve been rallying support for George in Lent Madness. This is the creation of my friend Fr. Tim Schenck, who is apparently using this to fund his curate’s position. (There’s not a shred of truth to that, but it’s a fun rumor — which you can help to spread.)

Anyway, George has made it all the way to the finals. Now he’s pitted against Julian of Norwich for the coveted Golden Halo. To be honest, I didn’t think George had a chance. The force is strong in Julian. However, as I write this, George has a slight edge (52-48). So I figured I might weigh in on why I like George Herbert.

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No, this is not a romantic love poem. It’s God stuff. What else could one post on Palm Sunday afternoon?

LOve bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
            Guiltie of dust and sinne.
But quick-ey’d Love, observing me grow slack
            From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
            If I lack’d any thing.

A guest, I answer’d, worthy to be here:
            Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkinde, ungratefull? Ah my deare,
            I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
            Who made the eyes but I?

Truth Lord, but I have marr’d them: let my shame
            Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, sayes Love, who bore the blame?
            My deare, then I will serve.
You must sit down, sayes Love, and taste my meat:
            So I did sit and eat.

George Herbert, The Temple (1633)

So go vote for George!

Over at Fr. Tim Schenck’s blog, it’s down the wire in Lent Madness. We’re at the Final Four, and George Herbert has been pitted against T(h)eresa of Avila. George Herbert needs your vote.

Here’s why you should vote for George:

• He’s one of the greatest English-language poets. You love his hymns. Think “Let all the world in every corner sing” or “Come my way, my truth, my life” or “King of glory, king of peace”.
• Herbert wrote one of the best books ever about the life of a priest. He’s inspired generations of clergy to more ably care for their congregations.
• He’s got other good attributes, as I mentioned in a previous post.
• He’s cool.
• He is the man behind the name of this blog.

Here’s why you should not vote for T(h)eresa of Avila.

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Unlike most of my Lenten hymn selections, this hymn has nothing to do with today’s lections. This is a plug for the poetry of George Herbert — hoping you’ll cast a vote for him in Lent Madness. You see, he’s made it to the Final Four, and he needs your support.

Now, in its own right, this is a fantastic text. Episcopalians won’t know the text much as a hymn, because the editors of the Hymnal 1982 did it no favors with their tune selection. Check the videos for an oustanding tune/text pairing from England, and also a couple of anthem settings of this inspiring poem.

Let all the world in every corner sing, my God and King!
The heavens are not too high, His praise may thither fly,
The earth is not too low, His praises there may grow.
Let all the world in every corner sing, my God and King!

Let all the world in every corner sing, my God and King!
The church with psalms must shout, no door can keep them out;
But, above all, the heart must bear the longest part.
Let all the world in every corner sing, my God and King!

Words: George Herbert, 1633

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My blogging colleague Fr. Tim Schenck is nearing the final stretches of his Lent Madness. This is, as you will recall, a saintly smackdown among a field of 32 holy women and holy men (very little connection to a book of that title).

The inspiration behind this blog’s title, George Herbert, has made it to the Elate Eight, and he’s now up against John Chrysostom. Now, I have to tell you, I like John. A lot. We read his Easter sermon every year on Easter Eve. I quote him regularly.

But I still voted for George, and you should too.

Here’s why:

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A few days ago, I wrote about my friend Fr. Tim Schenck’s brilliant / entertaining / heretical scheme over at his blog. It’s Lent Madness, and it pits saints against each other in competition for the grand prize, a Golden Halo. It’s a great way to learn a bit more about saints and have some fun at the same time. Anyway, I hope you’ll go visit the blog and vote right now. Now! You see, George Herbert has made it to the second round. He’s up against Joseph at this very minute.

I strongly urge you to vote for George Herbert. If you don’t care, do it as a favor for me. If you do care, here’s why you should vote for my man George. We know little about Joseph. He was in the right place at the right time, and as far as we know he was a good husband to Mary and a good father to Jesus. That counts for something, but we don’t know what he did beyond the basics that every husband and father seeks to do — being faithful and loving.

On the other hand, Herbert went above and beyond the call of duty. I won’t regale you with his whole life story; you can read more elsewhere. Suffice it to say he did two things that cause me to urge your vote. First, he shunned preferment in order to remain a country parson. He had a calling, not a career. The same can’t be said for plenty of clerics, who are quick to seek fancier cures and longer titles. Second, Herbert offered up a plentitude of poetry that is still inspiring today (and from which the name of this blog is taken). He also wrote a practical and uplifting manual for the life of a priest. Over three centuries later it still has plenty to teach us. Herbert managed, by all accounts, to be a good parish priest, and he also offered writings of enduring value to the whole church.

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My blogging friend Fr. Tim Schenck is a (possibly diabolical) genius. He’s running a little scheme over at his blog that simultaneously cashes in on three cultural crazes: Lent, sports, and gambling. His “Lent Madness” consists of a bunch of saints arranged into a basketball-like bracket. Readers of Tim’s blog can vote for their favorite saint as they compete with one another, working their way up to the Final Four and ultimately to the Golden Halo.

Got that? It’s like sports in that it’s competitive and it’s a single elimination championship series. It’s got Lent in that it’s a bunch of holy people during, um, Lent. And while Tim is too clever to be open about it, you know he’s running some kind of bookie scheme in the proverbial back room. I noticed he’s searching for a curate now. Is it a coincidence his parish suddenly has the money for a second priest when their rector is running a Lenten sanctoral smackdown?

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The “d’jour” of course is the commemoration of George Herbert. Blogging buddy Christopher Orczy has composed some music in Herbert’s honor.

Today is the feast day of George Herbert. Given the name of this blog, it would be hard to choose anything else for today’s installment in our Lenten romp through the hymnal.

King of glory, King of peace,
I will love thee;
and that love may never cease,
I will move thee.
Thou hast granted my request,
thou hast heard me;
thou didst note my working breast,
thou hast spared me.

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Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life :
Such a Way, as gives us breath :
Such a Truth, as ends all strife :
And such a Life, as killeth death.

Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength :
Such a Light, as shows a feast :
Such a Feast, as mends in length :
Such a Strength, as makes his guest.

Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart :
Such a Joy, as none can move :
Such a Love, as none can part :
Such a Heart, as joyes in love.

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Love (III)

LOve bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
Guiltie of dust and sinne.
But quick-ey’d Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lack’d any thing.

A guest, I answer’d, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkinde, ungratefull? Ah my deare,
I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?

Truth Lord, but I have marr’d them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, sayes Love, who bore the blame?
My deare, then I will serve.
You must sit down, sayes Love, and taste my meat:
So I did sit and eat.

Again and again, I have spoken with people who don’t understand why God should love them. “I have done terrible things!” they exclaim. Or “I didn’t pay enough attention to God.” But, of course, God is relentless in reaching out to us.

Herbert here captures beautifully the human quest for God and even more beautifully God’s quest for humanity. Our very desire to be loved by God is itself a gift from God. What is our proper response to our very desire to be loved by God? Why, to feast on God’s presence — on Christ in the sacraments of the church — and to delight in God’s presence in the people of God.

This poem is from The Temple (1633) and you can find it online here. The photo is by flickr user freephotouk.