Patrick Comerford
During Lent this year, I am taking time each morning to reflect on words from Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), the Lichfield lexicographer and writer who compiled the first authoritative English-language dictionary.
Today is Good Friday [25 March 2016], the climax of Holy Week and Lent.
On Good Friday, 29 March 1782, Samuel Johnson noted:
After a night of great disturbance and solicitude, such as I do not remember, I rose, drank tea, but without eating, and went to Church. I was very composed, and coming home, read Hammond on one of the Psalms for the day. I then read Leviticus. Scot came in which hindred me from Church in the afternoon. A kind letter from Gastrel. I read on, then went to Evening prayers, and afterwards drank tea with bunns; then read till I finished Leviticus 24 pages et sup.
Meditating on Good Friday some years earlier, on 20 April 1764, Johnson wrote:
I have made no reformation, I have lived totally useless, more sensual in thought and more addicted to wine and meat, grant me, O God, to amend my life for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I hope
To put my rooms in order*.
I fasted all day.
* Disorder I have found one great cause of idleness.
Yesterday’s reflection.
Continued tomorrow.
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