Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 816)
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 killeth 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.
Text: George Herbert (1593-1632); Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Devotion
There was much political and religious conflict in England during George Herbert’s life and even more followed after his death. Much of the conflict had to do with doctrinal disputes. In the second stanza of the poem, in an elegance of language and a calmness of heart, Herbert refocuses hearts and minds on the luminous grace and healing beauty of the sacramental meal.
In the hymn, Jesus calls the singer into his light, feast, and strength. And the poet invites Jesus to come into his life as light, feast, and strength. The light reveals the feast; the feast heals; and the strength makes a guest. The metaphor of light works as both light, as in “I am the light of the world,” and as a light, careful, and loving touch of the host of a feast, whose strong bearing creates comfort for a guest. Come, singer, be my guest. Come, Lord Jesus, be my guest.
Prayer
Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest. And let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen.