K is for Kyrie eleison
Kyrie is more than just the translated word for mercy. It’s a petition for mercy. The crying out, in the knowledge that you are in need of it. The most powerful sung version of it for me, comes from an unlikely place.
I’m not a big fan of Sinéad O’Connor. I can never decide whether I want to shout at her or hug her, but what ever I think of what she says, I’m constantly blown away by how she sings. She has the most powerful, emotive voice; I believe she’s has one of the greatest and underrated voices of our generation.
Some years ago she sang a Kyrie live on a popular Friday night TV show in Ireland. I was pinned to my chair. To me it seemed she wasn’t just singing it. It really felt like a cry for mercy. I know she’s an artiste and can ‘bring it’ when she needs to. But it looked, felt and sounded 100% genuine to me.
Everyone is in need of mercy; and it turns out that the best way to receive it is to show it. Matthew 5:7 tells us, ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.’
I’ve been worried about how easy it would be, to ‘run out’ of mercy, of grace, of patience… but I’m reminded that as I show mercy to others, mercy will be shown to me. The more I give, the more I’ll receive.
Just another Christian woman... 
I am on my way to my kids school to prepare the choir for confirmation in ten days time. They are moaning because I am making them sing Kyrie Eleison in the Greek, but it is so much more meaningful for me that way. I have never seen Sinesd OConnor’s Kyrie, but can guess that it would be stunning.
It is an amazing version. Hope your choir is doing well xx