Today is the commemoration of George Herbert (1593-1633). Herbert came from a wealthy family, briefly served in the English Parliament, taught rhetoric at Cambridge University, and three years before his death was ordained an Anglican priest serving a small rural church. Sounds pretty ordinary, so why commemorate him? Because he was also a poet who authored profound sacred verse.

Several of Herbert’s poems have been set to music as hymns and anthems. I grew up singing “Let All the World in Every Corner Ring” and “Teach Me My God and King.” The only hymn of Herbert’s in Evangelical Lutheran Worship is “Come My Way.”

1. Come, my way, my truth, my life:
such a way, as gives us breath;
such a truth, as ends all strife;
such a life as conquers death.

2. 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.

3. 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 joys in love.

Each stanza names Christ under three titles and invites him to come. The titles are then expanded one by one. I find the mystical quality of the poem most attractive. Each of the expansive lines could be a subject for meditation. Imagine silently turning over the phrase “a heart as joys in love” in your mind.

I commend pondering the text of hymns as a way of preparing for worship.

Read John 14:1-6 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne