This Advent in our worship services we are exploring the idea that two things can be true at once. As we explore the Christmas story through the eyes of Zechariah, John the Baptist, Mary and Joseph, we see that we can be both afraid and courageous at the same time.
We can have doubt and faith at the same time.
Or, we can hate a piece of music, and be delighted by it at the same time.
Like some of the intricate music the Sorella Choir sang at our concert Tuesday night, (that’s me in the front row, with the cane). I am not a good reader of music at the best of times, and even after countless practices I feared I would be lip syncing many of the pieces. Not to mention the earworms that have been plaguing me for weeks. But it was lovely, and by all reports we all did very well. And, I actually knew more than I thought I did.
Or, like one of the hymns we sang last Sunday – Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending. The theology and imagery in the song (written by Charles Wesley) is so foreign and disagreeable to me I can hardly sing it. And yet the tune is so absolutely fabulous that I can’t stop myself from singing. And then I think of the great Maddy Prior from Steeleye Span, who did an album with the Carnaval Band and she sang Lo He comes … it is absolutely magnificent. And I find I am indeed “singing lustily and with good courage”.
Have a listen:
Maddy Prior and the Carnaval Band on the Album “Sing Lustily and With Good Courage”
https://youtu.be/c7AIf--i1Y0?si=oiBZ0SPZNaPw5h_Y
If you aren’t familiar with Steeleye Span, check out:
Gaudete
(88) Steeleye Span - 'Gaudete' (Live) - YouTube
And just for fun:
Steeleye Span - All Around My Hat (Live Cropredy Festival 2016)
Today’s word is vulnerability.
This month I am remembering that exactly 10 years ago I was in the early stages of recovery from ruptured Achilles tendon. I say early stages because it was entering month 3 of what would end up to be nearly 9 months of “recovery”. Here’s the short version.
I took a tumble in my office at the St. John’s house in early October 2015, shortly after I officially started as their Intentional Interim Minister. I had somehow got some wires that were under my desk wrapped around my right foot and when I got up to leave the office in a hurry I pretty much planked as I flew across the office. I remember thinking mid-flight “oh this is not going to be good” … and landed on the floor, somehow managing not to crack my head on the table or filing cabinet. It was excruciatingly painful, but I could walk.
Over the next month I saw 4 family doctors who all did the little test (The Thompson Test) one does by squeezing the back of my calf to test if the Achilles is intact … and all pronounced it “not ruptured”. One even advised me to continue to walk, stretch it out, etc. I went to Toronto for General Council Executive meetings. In early November I went to my physiotherapist who said, after examination, “there’s nothing there”, and immediately got me in to a physiotherapist who specializes in Achilles injuries (who I still see). She said, “it’s shredded” and got me in to see the orthopedic surgeon thee next day, who put me on the emergency surgery list. A week later I was in a wheelchair and a non-weightbearing cast and living and sleeping in our living room. Below are the stages of my “recovery” and change of casts.
I think it was around week 6 when I was able to put a bit of weight on it, and then it was 10 years ago this week that I was finally “sprung” from the cast to a boot. Just in time for the latest Star Wars movie I noted in my facebook post.
For the first two months I was hosting bible studies and church meetings in my living room (with the bed made of course) and leading worship from a wheelchair … I might manage to stand for the prayers and sermon, but I was getting around in a wheelchair.
I didn’t know it at the time, but it would be months of ortho visits, an undiagnosed infection, and subsequent surgery. And then another non weight bearing cast.
I tell you all this for two reasons … you may understand better my hesitation to put myself in situations when I might take a tumble (and why I didn’t come down the stairs during the service last Sunday – that’s an arthritic knee) … been there, done that. Would like to avoid it (the tumble piece).
Second … and this is where the word vulnerability comes in … my friend Paul in Northern Ireland, who was consoling me from afar said in the early days … “remember, you can lead from a chair.”
I have never forgot that. It is a metaphor for me of remembering one’s vulnerability, accepting our limitations, and accepting help from others. And, also offering help when one is able to.
That’s what we learn about Joseph’s story this week – Joseph stepped up to walk with Mary despite his fear and hesitation.
Stepping up … but with hesitation.
Doubt and faith.
Leading from a chair.
Please join us this Sunday for our Lessons and Carols Service, and a visit from Joseph.
Many blessings
