I woke up this morning so weary and full of despair at the state of the world.
It was Gaza that was getting to me.
The evil that is being committed to the Palestinian people there is so similar to the evils suffered by Jewish people in World War Two…
At that time, the rest of the world stood by and let it happen; and at this time, we are all also standing by and letting it happen again…
And there are days when I simply cannot bear it.
Like the women in the story, I have seen the cruelty of the world and cannot prevent it.
But I have also seen that there is another way; and that I have a duty to try to proclaim it.
And quite unexpectedly I remember a scene in my LUCY’S PLAY (1986).
Lucy has just met Mary the Mother of God. She is full of fear of a coming war and deep suffering that is to come.
Suffering she feels helpless to prevent:
“LUCY
I want to stop it.
But nothing I do makes any difference,
And nothing I do makes any sense.
MARY
Don't despair my love. You are Lucy, light on the mountain.
If you have light, do you hide it under a bucket? Do you cover it up with a stone?
No. You put it high on a hillside,
Where everyone can see it. You can't help it.
And you can't put it out. It's in the nature of light.
It was Him who taught me that. Don't forget.
And don't lose hope. Peace will come.
The good you do is never lost.
Remember, Lucy. Never forget.
LUCY
I won't. I promise.
MARY HAS GONE.
LUCY
The mother of God. I have seen the Mother of God. I must tell the others.”
….and reading through those lines, I discover I say the same thing in THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JESUS QUEEN OF HEAVEN.
Which I am performing this coming Saturday at 7pm in Rosslyn Hill Chapel, 3 Pilgrim’s Place, London NW3 1NG.
Tickets & info for Queen Jesus in London
Come if you can. And share with anyone you know who might be interested…
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