From the Dean's Desk
Taking stock
In the April edition of Tasmanian Anglican there was a picture of myself in a set of wooden stocks and there were was a request for possible captions to be sent in.
Some that were passed on to me were,
Lord Mayor: ‘Medieval miscreant! Take stock of your mis-Dean-eamours!',
and ‘Come on, the sermon wasn't that long!'
The picture was taken at the Feast of Fools, a Medieval Fair that we held in the Close at the Cathedral. All this was part of events surrounding the performances of the Play of Daniel, a Medieval Opera, which had been in preparation for over three years. Also part of this event was the premiere performance of a Fanfare for Hobart and a sermon series on the book of Daniel, which is available on line.
The Feast of Fools itself was a great success with a spit roast, jugglers, Morris Dancers, and stalls from the Friends of St David's as well as our friends up the road at All Saints. Of particular interest to my boys was the sword fighting which drew a large crowd, and thankfully no one was injured.
Immediately after the sword fight came my turn to be put in the stocks to have water sponges thrown at me as a way of raising money. It was interesting to note who was willing to pay for the privilege of throwing things at a representative of the Church! (Apparently more people wanted to throw things at me than at the Lord Mayor, which means something.)
It was all good fun, if occasionally painful when the sponges had mud on them.
But I couldn't help but think about what it would be like to really be in the stocks and have people throw objects and abuse at you. How alone, isolating and degrading it would be as you paid the penalty for your crimes.
I couldn't help but then think of Jesus and the abuse he suffered.
Some were concerned that going into the stocks was beneath my dignity as Dean. How much more would that be true for Jesus, Messiah, Son of God with all the indignities he suffered on his way to the Cross.
For helping me think more deeply of what Jesus did for me on his path of obedience I am grateful that I had a chance to take stock.
God bless
Richard
In the stocks
Some more captions
This isn't what I had in mind when you asked me to get involved in the stock market.
I will make no more applications to the heritage commission.
But the last pie was mine!!!
Mr Dean, thou shalt not covet my gown and my hat.
Photo: Imogen Wegman