Saturday, April 27, 2024
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
The solitude of Shakespeare and Jesus
Henri Nouwen saw many values in solitude:
- In solitude we can slowly unmask the illusion of our possessiveness and discover in the center of our own self that we are not what we can conquer, but what is given to us.
William Shakespeare, whose birthday was on April 23, endured many accusations and attacks on his character during his lifetime, and even more after he died. But his literary legacy includes 38 plays and 154 sonnets. Could a boy barely educated in grammar school (or whatever it was called in Stratford-on-Avon) have possibly written so accurately about history and so creatively about the rigors of both castle and common life?
- In solitude we can listen to the voice of him who spoke to us before we could speak a word, who healed us before we could make any gesture to help, who set us free long before we could free others, and who loved us long before we could give love to anyone.
God spoke to William before he could ever speak a word. And Will did not get in the way. Garrison Keillor, a writer himself, appreciates Shakespeare’s accomplishments:
He created some of the most unforgettable characters ever written for the stage, and he shifted effortlessly between formal court language and coarse vernacular. The Oxford English Dictionary credits him with coining 3,000 new words, and he has contributed more phrases and sayings to the English language than anyone else. His idioms have woven themselves so snugly into our daily conversations that we aren’t even aware of them most of the time, phrases such as “a fool’s paradise,” “a sorry sight,” “dead as a doornail,” “Greek to me,” “come what may,” “eaten out of house and home,” “forever and a day,” “heart’s content,” “slept a wink,” “love is blind,” “night owl,” “wild goose chase,” and “into thin air.”
Memorizing Shakespearean speeches affects my conversation. I feel happier, my mouth and lips feel wiser. When I smile, it’s a Shakespearean smile. When I frown, I feel Will’s hand, patting me on the back. Often at these moments, I prefer to be alone.
- It is in this solitude that we discover that being is more important than having, and that we are worth more than the results of our efforts.
Jesus was adored by many around him, but never owned a fancy robe. I don’t think he kept track of his many miracles. When it was time, Jesus threw caution to the wind and invited arrest, trial and crucifixion.
- In solitude we discover that our life is not a possession to be defended, but a gift to be shared. The healing words we speak are not just our own, but are given to us. The love we can express is part of a greater love, and the new life we bring forth is not a property to cling to, but a gift to be received.
Jesus told his disciples all of this, during his last evening with them.
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.
 (Acts 13, Psalm 98, John 8, John 14)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
#
