Hymns can be God’s language

I rely on hymns to focus my prayer to God. Sometimes the words of hymns seem as if God is talking to me.

Mass is for me a celebration of the second commandment: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” We can’t all talk together, but we can sing together, and thanks to the choir, even I can croak tunelessly along, hopefully drowned out by the more gifted.

It is in this unity that the Holy Spirit makes Itself known. The fruits of the Spirit can only be recognised in one by others, and more readily seen by those who are open to the Spirit.

During the veneration of the blessed Sacrament, we are all united. By becoming our food and drink, Christ becomes part of us all.

To keep six billion people quiet after a meal is difficult. I prefer the singing.

During the veneration, all is quiet except for the bells. This is the time for giving thanks. Words we use in prayer convey our thoughts, whether Latin, Zulu, English, Sesotho or Afrikaans.

I abide by the pope’s infallibility.

Christopher Grealy, Johannesburg