Thought for the day – Saturday 2 May
Dear All
My old primary school uniform had a maroon blazer and the badge bore two faces, one happy and the other sad. You can see this ‘badge’ around theatres if you care to look for them. You’ll see them too on programmes and theatrical advertising hoardings etc. The faces represent tragedy and comedy. These past months have been quite dramatic, a real mixture of tragedy and comedy.
It’s been interesting and quite amusing watching on TV what some folk get up to during their confinement. I’ve seen song and dance routines, famous musicians, comedians and some sporting activities all performed from home.
Some athletes, in order to keep themselves fit, have still managed their particular sports, eg Cycling, albeit of the static variety. I’ve not yet seen anyone attempt the ‘home version’ of the pole vault or the shot putt. I doubt if I will.
Performing arts and sport have their origins in ancient times. Sophocles wrote the Greek tragedy, Antigone and Homer wrote the Odyssey and Iliad, two epic poems set during the Trojan wars. I’ve read and seen some such performances over the years and they are truly amazing works. By the way, If you’re thinking to yourself just now, oh he’s just letting us know he’s ‘well-read’, then you’re probably right.
In ancient Greek society, the theatre was so important that the government would pay for the poor to attend. It was a central component in their civilised and advanced society. Theatre in ancient Greece goes as far back a 6000 BC and organised competitive sport around 776 BC. That year saw the first ‘Olympics’.
A bit nearer our own times, ‘century wise’, is of course Shakespeare. If you’ve never read Macbeth why not give it a go. It is truly a wonderful and insightful piece of drama set here in our own country’s ‘dark and dismal’ past. After a short, while you get used to the whyfores, wherefores and all the ye’s and thou’s etc. A bit like the King James Version of the bible.
Incidentally, Shakespeare didn’t talk like Shakespeare as far as I’m aware, and at the time of Charles Dickens I guess he must have used the expression that we use today only he would have to say ‘What the Shakespeares all that about then?’.
Paul, the writer of the ‘Letter to the Hebrews’ uses the imagery of sport in helping his readers to think of their faith as a ‘race’. I rather think that race would be more of a marathon than a sprint. Whether a sprint or a marathon, he speaks of running uncluttered, a bit like we would with our running gear on and not our usual everyday wear.
In running the race before us we look ahead to Jesus Christ who is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Looking back will only hinder us. What lies ahead is more important for us as we can do nothing about the past.
Although Paul had no Coronavirus in mind it would do us no harm and draw some comfort in his analogy, seeing a finishing line ahead, a goal to reach, when we can get back to some semblance of normality.
Today I ask you to think/meditate on these things.
God bless you!
Jim
HEBREWS 12: 1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
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