I recently took a Memorial service which included a reading which was new to me. It was written by Elizabeth, Princess Berkley, who for a time was known as Elizabeth Craven. She travelled extensively, produced various writings and poems and knew writers such as Samuel Johnson. The first half of the poem is as follows:

‘I thank thee God, that I have lived
In this great world and known its many joys:
The songs of birds, the strongest sweet scent of hay,
And cooling breezes in the secret dusk;
The flaming sunsets at the close of day,
Hills and the lovely, heather-covered moors;
Music at night, and the moonlight on the sea,
The beat of waves upon the rocky shore
And wild white spray, flung high in ecstasy;
The faithful eyes of dogs, and treasured books,
The love of Kin and fellowship of friends
And all that makes life dear and beautiful.’

The weather has become more spring like meaning that the landscape around is starting to populate with colour from buds and flowers, along with much birdsong. Spring and Easter go well together as a period of new life and the marking of the Resurrection. The poem speaks of many things for which Elizabeth gave thanks. All of us could join her in giving thanks for these, be that the faithful eyes of a dog or the cooling breeze at dusk. In the second verse she goes on to give thanks for emotion, including that of sorrow, for it is only in sorrow that we come to know the value of a love and friendship which has ended in some way. She ends with these beautiful words:

‘Because of these and other blessings poured
Unasked upon my wondering head,
Because I know that there is yet to come
An even richer and more glorious life,
And most of all, because Thine only Son
Once sacrificed life’s loveliness for me,
I thank Thee, God, that I have lived.’

Over the course of Holy Week we contemplate and attempt to in some way experience the sacrifice made by ‘Thine only Son.’ It is a rich period within the liturgical life of the Church ending with the joy that comes from the Resurrection, of light overcoming darkness. This is a reminder to all that there is much to give thanks for. All of us can, and so I hope feel able to, say ‘I thank Thee, God, that I have lived.’

Please God, let it be that the Blessed Saints, most particularly Our Lady, continue to pray for us!

Fr. David