Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
Bertolt Brecht was a German playwright and poet born in 1898. By most accounts he was one of the most influential authors of the 20th Century. For the German people of Bracht’s generation life would amount to a series of horrific events. Common citizens were little more than pawns in the grand schemes of the powerful. World War 1, the war to end all wars, would exact a terrible cost on Europe and the world. The nation and the people of Germany would experience the destruction of modern warfare and when peace arrived, they would be punished economically, rabid inflation and unrest would lead to a fascist government and a second World War.
Brecht believed that theatre could change the world, that the written word had the power to transform minds and society. As we were reminded during Holy Week, transformation of this sort is a dangerous undertaking. Those who confront power, those who threaten the place of the powerful will most certainly pay a price. Brecht’s writings, critical of the direction of the German government, drew the attention of the Nazi regime. He was considered an enemy of the state, persecuted by Adolph Hitler and fled Germany with his family for Scandinavia.
In the winter of 1937-38 while in exile in Svendborg, Denmark, Brecht wrote this very simple and yet profound poem. The poem titled “Motto” acknowledges the angst experienced by humans since the dawn of creation, the harsh reality of dark societies and dark spirits as we journey through a fallen world rife with injustice and cruelty. At the same time, these simple 19 words are a clarion call to hope; hope that is critical to the survival of the human spirit.
“In the dark times
Will there also be singing?
Yes, there will also be singing.
About the dark times.”
For many of us this is a season of uncharted darkness, the foundations of our democracy have been shaken, the electorate is fractured, the branches of government are engaged in a struggle, the separation of powers set forth by the constitution is being tested. The times may seem dark, they may in fact be dark, but the tribulations of this season are not unusual in the course of human history. The Bible very clearly teaches us that we should expect such travail. Every human story has blood splattered pages and tear-stained chapters detailing the brokenness, betrayal, and disability that is uniquely ours and equally shared by every generation, every race, color and creed in the far corners of the globe.
That is reality, always has been, always will be. But we must not lose hope. We must not quit singing, we must not lose our voice or be rendered powerless by the powerful oppressors of this world. People of hope keep singing. Paul and Silas kept singing while imprisoned in Philippi. Bertolt Brecht, though persecuted and exiled, encouraged the oppressed to raise their voices in song. May Easter joy remind us that with God all things are possible, and we can overcome. We will overcome, and someday our songs of lamentation will be replaced with songs of jubilation.
One beggar, telling another beggar to keep singing, I am your,
Pastor Jim
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