Another great festival

This year's Carmel Bach Festival has come and gone, and we had a fantastic time participating with all those wonderful musicians. The Brahms Requiem was received enthusiastically, and it was a particularly moving experience for me. The texts Brahms used are all from scripture, but designed to comfort the people left behind rather than to contemplate the future of the deceased's spirit.

I am using most of them as the readings for Xenia's memorial this coming Saturday.

Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.
(Matthew 5:4)

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
(Psalm 126:5,6)

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away.
(1 Peter 1:24)

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.
(James 5:7)

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
(Isaiah 35:10)

Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.
Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee....
(Psalm 39:4-7)

But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.
(Wisdom of Solomon 3:1)

And ye now therefore have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
(John 16:22)

Ye see how for a little while I labor and toil, yet have I found much rest.
(Ecclesiasticus 51:27)

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you....
(Isaiah 66:13)

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.
...then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is they sting? O grave, where is they victory?
(1 Corinthians 15:51,52,54,55)