It was a huge privilege to join with many others from his very rich life to date to celebrate this landmark birthday at St Michael's, Marston. A fine lunch and fun party followed a very moving and inspiring mass for the unity of all creation, which ended with these words, summing up Fr David's approach to life and calling us all to spend ourselves likewise in the service of God, our fellow men and women, and all that is, seen and unseen:
I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing; put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you or laid aside for you;
exalted for you or brought low for you;
let me be full; let me be empty;
let me have all things; let me have nothing;
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours. Amen.
Monday, January 24, 2011 - 8:58pm