All the world's a stage

remembering our character in shifting times

If, as Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players,” have you ever wondered at the play? What show are we performing in exactly and what is our part? Are we in the first act or in the penultimate scene? If someone in the audience were looking at our biography in the program, what words would they find there? For the short span in which we’re alive, we take our marks, say our lines, perform our actions and interactions and it will be evident to everyone when the curtain falls exactly how well we’ve performed, but what I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is how quickly the sets are moving.

As a musical theatre fan, I’ve seen dozens of shows in my lifetime and as season subscribers to our local theater, my husband and I often attend a show without a whole lot of knowledge concerning what we’re about to see. Regardless, if you think about what’s happening behind the scenes, every show is a kind of miracle. Lighting, sound, script, performers, props, costumes, and orchestra are all working together to tell a story in a window of time, and the huge set pieces that move on and off the stage are a big part of how that story gets told.

When a background or major structure moves onto the stage, it’s an indication of a new location in the story. Though the performers occupy the same square footage of stage as before, the audience is meant to know that something significant has shifted – a new city or building or room, or maybe even a different point in time. And these days, it feels like the sets on our stages are shifting fast.

Jesus would be familiar with that feeling. In a span of a few days, He went from celebrated teacher, healer and hero to a criminal worthy of crucifixion. Crowds who shouted, “Hosanna” as He entered the city suddenly called for Jesus’ beating, torture and death. Friends who once swore they’d never abandon him did just that. And a few days after that – another huge shift. He who had been conquered, killed and buried miraculously rose to historic victory over death changing all of humanity and this planet forever.

Though Jesus didn’t change, the landscape around him did, and dramatically so.

In our time on the stage, things can and do shift quickly. In our health, our families, jobs, country and church, things we could not have imagined can rise up and click into place, changing our reality dramatically, but it is our job to maintain and grow our character even while the environment changes at a dizzying pace.

The person of Jesus did not change in the midst of changing circumstances. Ever humble, He washed the feet of the one who would betray him. Ever peaceful, even when threatened in the garden, Jesus told His disciples to lay their weapons down. Ever merciful, even while tortured and dying, He begged God to forgive the ones who were to blame.

Jesus didn’t adapt or shift when all the norms and expectations around Him did, but even against His own earthly interests, Jesus remained steadily Himself with a clear vision as to His values and goals. The stories we’ll hear in the coming days about our beloved Pope Francis will indicate the same consistency and intentionality as to his mission and purpose. As things shift in our lives, when light is called darkness and darkness light, when we are confronted with a whole new reality, will we do the same?

Raised Catholic Rewind:

Raised Catholic episode 30: All Saints - transcript with link to episode

Raised Catholic episode 58: Mystical Union - transcript with link to episode

What I’m recommending this week:

Song: You Are Good Medley, by Todd Galbreth

Song: More Than Able, by Maverick City Music

Prayer:

Jesus, the crowds swirled around you, shifting from praise to condemnation, trust to fear. All the while, you stayed grounded and steadfast, seeing your mission through in love and humility. Remind us who we are in you, Lord.

Thank you for the example of your servant, Francis. Let us do the same in your name, amen.