March 2018
Father Bob writes
It never ceases to amaze me that as the last chords of ‘That was the show’ die away, the question is already being asked by those on stage – ‘What will we do next year?’ This is repeated when on the Sunday afternoon, after all the props and costumes have been returned to Saint Mary’s and the stage and screens dismantled and Saint Wilfrid’s once again looks as it normally does, we gather to reflect and mark the end of the Panto. As we sit and talk, we share our favourite moments and the funny things that happened – often when I forgot my lines! But as we draw to a close, I ask who would want to do it again – and there is an almost unanimous – Yes!
As we had that conversation this year we particularly noted how well our children and young people had done and what a contribution they had made – it has been great to see them growing in confidence and developing their skills year on year. We also rejoiced in the sense of support we all felt from each other – both those on stage, those behind the scenes and our special guests (see elsewhere for who they were!). I preached on the Sunday morning of how all of this, and the journey we had been on from the excitement and anticipation of the Auditions, through the struggle of line learning, attempting to sing and dance at the same time, the grumpy Director, the changes in cast, the moments of despair that it would not work etc to the moment of the final performance and a great sense of achievement and success, was a reflection of our journey through life and, in particular our Lenten experience.
It is very easy to forget the twists and turns and the struggles we have had when we reach the end of the journey or arrive at a point of all being well. But to reach that point, the twists and turns and the struggles have been an important part of that final sense of well-being or peace. Too often we try to avoid the struggles, or we become overwhelmed by them. We cease to see them as steps that will help us to grow and develop in our faith. We become enclosed in ourselves and our needs so that we forget to recognise that we do not travel alone but do so with the support of others and that we always walk with Christ.
Lent gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the journey we make day by day. It gives us the chance to put that journey in the wider context of the journey Christ makes for us – to the Cross and the Tomb – and with us in His risen life. It is important not to simply jump from Ash Wednesday to the joy of Easter Day without acknowledging that journey and the struggles it brings. Once again, I encourage all of us to find time and space in Lent to be with God and to think about our life journey in its reality; then to walk with Christ as he makes that journey through Holy Week, to the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday, then to the foot of the cross on Good Friday before then waiting for the discovery of the Empty Tomb and the celebrations of Easter. Hopefully if we share fully in that journey then as we gather on Easter Day we can respond with a positive ‘Yes’ as we are asked if we wish to renew our promises (made at Baptism) to walk through the coming days with the Risen Lord.
Father Bob