November 19 marks my six-month anniversary as a deacon. I still can’t believe it. Anyway: I had asked a friend if she would sing Bernstein’s “A Simple Song” at my Mass of Thanksgiving the day after my ordination. She was happy to oblige — but had to go to an out-of-town wedding that weekend. So it never happened. But I found a beautiful rendition of it on YouTube, from the astounding Renee Fleming. I offer it as a little anniversary gift to my brother deacons.

“Sing God a simple song, lauda laude.
Make it up as you go along, lauda laude.
Sing what you like to sing.
God loves all simple things.
For God is the simplest of all.”

I will sing the Lord a new song:
To praise Him, to bless Him, to bless the Lord.
I will sing His praises while I live,
All of my days…”