The Lord is here

 

 

My friend Anne has been in charge of rural chaplaincy in the Dunedin Diocese for some years now. Often she has talked about the challenges and joys of this ministry and I have listened and  (hopefully) supported, but have been quietly thinking "None of this makes sense. Why wouldn't you just close some of these churches down and combine them?"

This weekend I headed down to Dunedin to spend a few days with Anne during Electoral Synod. The plan had been to just potter around Port Chalmers, eat good food, knit, and chat. But when humans plan God laughs of course. Michael (Anne's husband and priest in charge of the Queensland parish) had organised cover for the wedding and two services scheduled in Queenstown/Arrowtown for the weekend, but his cover had unfortunately come down with a chest infection, and Anne was the only priest not at Synod. So Anne met me off the plane in Dunedin and we drove to Queenstown.

 

The countryside between Dunedin and Queenstown is .... take your pick of superlatives. Sweeping green spaces, a turquoise river, tiny villages, the stones and scorched earth of Alexandra, and the (truly) Remarkables mountain range dominating every scene. The trees were as green as an English spring, with elder and hawthorn bushes in full flower along every country lane, peonies, roses and irises in every garden. We must have talked, because when Anne and I get together, we never stop - but I felt as if I spent the whole drive with my jaw dropped. The beautiful, beautiful south. 

 So much about the weekend was wonderful, but there's something in particular I want to remember. On  Sunday morning we were up early and driving through quiet country lanes to Arrowtown for the first service. We arrived at this tiny church, which seemed like an echo of another era, set amongst swaying spring trees. Inside, the church glowed: one exquisite stained glass window behind the altar made patterns of light on the glowing timbers. Everything was perfectly cared for, from the linen on the altar to the polished pews. 

We were warned that only around 8 people might show up (an important rugby match was scheduled for the same time ) but instead a community of 18 gathered - newcomers invited by the regulars, recent emigres, people whose families had lived here for generations. The service began - as maybe it had begun for a century - with the ringing of the church bell. 

And there was this moment in the service. Anne stood facing the congregation in her white alb and stole patterned with pohutakawa blossoms. With a fluid upward movement of her arms that felt like an embrace, and a voice ringing with joy, she proclaimed words I have heard a thousand times: "The Lord is here!". And my eyes filled with tears. 

On the way home, we took our time, stopping in small settlements to visit small churches, with their well-tended gardens, mouse houses, beautiful windows, labyrinths, mosaics and ancient organs that require the organist to pedal constantly to keep the sound going (Anne demonstrated in the church at St Bathans). Some of these churches still have regular services; in others worship is a special occasion which gathers the entire community. These small buildings are carefully tended and I saw in that constant care such faithfulness, such an expression of love. 

The Lord is here. Throughout this beautiful region in the most southern part of the most southern land, the Lord is here. And people are gathering in their small communities to bear witness to this astounding truth. A pattern of light.

It's important not to be too starry eyed, of course. These congregations are elderly and the diocese is struggling to find ways to resource them. And such communities are made of human beings who doubtlessly squabble and struggle for power. But when those flawed human beings come together for the Eucharist, they all face forward, they all bear witness to the truth of God's presence among us. And who am I, I wondered, to so carelessly think about  amalgamations and efficiencies? What made me think those things mattered at all? So much would be lost if just one of those lights were dimmed. 

In my own church, I am constantly reminded of little lights, shining across the world. Several times a week, I head to the Cathedral for exposition of the sacrament. I race up the steps of the church, so eager to be there. And I ponder sometimes - especially when it's raining, and it seems to have been raining forever - couldn't I just stay at home and pray? But it would not be the same. What draws me - apart from the sacrament itself - is being with others, all facing forward, all bearing witness. 

My most recent joy is saying the daily office on my phone. What I love is knowing that all across the world, people are saying those exact same prayers, that there isn't a time when someone is not praying the office. That we are all saying the same psalm of lament, grieving over Gaza and Ukraine and lost children and the plight of the poor, over and over, as the earth spins. That we are all saying the same psalm of joy, celebrating the love and power of our God. Saying the same Benedictus to bless the world. In every place and in every time, light upon light upon light: The Lord is here.

 

Listening

 

 

Today my mother hates God. I arrive at Aroha to find her shouting abuse at one of the sweetest carers in the place. Go away! she is shouting, leave me alone – I don’t have to do what you say! You are a horrible, horrible person. You're Hitler! The mild young man with the medication tray, who bears no resemblance at all to a murderous megalomaniac, is looking uncertain. I plonk myself down on the other side of her. Hey, I say, is that the way a good Catholic speaks to other people?

She spins around. Her face lights up. Then darkens again. The carer backs quietly away, throws me a small thankful smile.

I’m not a good Catholic, she says. I’m a bad Catholic.

Surely not, I say. We went to Mass just a few days ago. What will cheer you up? Shall we go and read more of Prince Caspian in your room?

No, she says. I hate Prince Caspian. I hate C.S.Lewis.

Nooo, I say. Well, let’s go to your room and see what Dad has written on your whiteboard.

We walk slowly down to her room. She is angry, angry, angry with every step.

We sit side by side on her bed and look at the whiteboard. Read it to me, she says, I can’t see it from here.

It’s Lizzy’s neat handwriting. She has written, “Ellis, Lizzy and Lucy came to see you today. You looked beautiful in red. We love you”.

Hrrrmph, says my mother, glowering.

What’s with you, I ask. Isn’t that nice?

No, she says. Yes. No. Nothing is nice. I HATE God.

Oh, I say. Why do you hate God?

Well, look at the mess of the world, she says, look at THIS place. If he wanted to, he could just wave his wand and sort it all out. But he doesn’t. He just folds his arms and sits there.

I don’t think God is a magician, I say, he doesn’t have a wand.

Huh, she says. Well, it’s all the same: he looks down and sees how everything is awful and does NOTHING.

What do you think he IS doing, I ask.

Probably polishing his fingernails, she says, and mimics someone admiring their nails and blowing on the varnish to dry it. The image is so vivid and unexpected that I laugh out loud.

You may laugh, she says grimly, but it is so.

Why don’t we read some of your favourite Bible verses, I suggest, that might cheer you up. I read from her Good News Bible: Psalm 23, the end of Romans 11, and 1 Corinthians 13.

She manages what is indisputably a Blakemore sniff.

What do you think, I ask.

I think, she says, that I’m trying very hard not to stab my well-meaning daughter who is reading trite passages from the Bible.

Fair enough, I laugh. Ah well, let’s say a prayer and tell God how you’re feeling.

YOU can, she says. He’s not listening. 

 

I hold her hand and pray: thank you God, that you don’t mind us telling you exactly how we feel. My mother is very angry with you right now. She is full of spiky feelings and she thinks you should do something about the world and this place. Please surround her with your love and peace. Please do something about the world. Thank you for listening. Amen.

Huh, she says. And then: you know, I think we're having ice-cream cones with dinner tonight.

As I drive home, I remember how I took her to Mass just a few days before. I remember how the old charismatic song, His name is wonderful, came on as we drove to Dad’s and how tears ran into the folds of her cheeks. I remember my mother and father that day in the garden, inspecting the lavender, the apple blossom and the mock orange, watching the bumblebees in the purple hebe. I remember how they marvelled over the mandarin tree covered in creamy blossom, my mother leaning in to inhale the scent of the flowers. 

 

  

Later I go to exposition at the Cathedral. I look at the candles and the monstrance with its golden spikes which always seem to me quite ridiculous. And I tentatively, carefully try out new words. I’m angry, I whisper. I’m so angry. And I’m sad. I’m overwhelmed with sadness. I think I might be afraid too. I don’t like these feelings. I don’t know what to do. Thank you for listening. 

Dappled light, refracted through the coloured glass, makes patterns on the cool white walls of the church.  I grope in my pocket for a tissue. Someone on the other side of the church coughs. A door behind me opens and closes. Enfolded in that gentle light, my body relaxes, and I nestle into a quiet and unexpected peace.

The Kidnapping

 

Years ago, I had to take unconscious bias training at work. To my surprise, it indicated that I had an unconscious bias against the elderly.  I thought this was nonsense - I had found the test confusing. But even supposing the test was accurate, I am now learning something new: the special joy of spending time with the very old. I apologise here for writing another blog post so soon about taking my mother out on a Wednesday, but these times are very special and I don't want them to be forgotten. 

We have had days, weeks of rain this spring, and the weather has been very cold. Last Wednesday morning the temperature plummeted to near zero. Was it wise to take my mother out on such a day, I wondered. But in the end I decided yes, we could make it happen. I pack Vermont socks and two woolly hats for mum to choose between, and a scarf and gloves into my bag and head out into the cold. 

She is quiet as we get into the car, wrapped in scarf and hat and gloves, and we are on the road before she says with a tone of reproach "you haven't asked me anything about the kidnapping" . "The kidnapping?" "Yes," she says "I was kidnapped last night".

 "Ah", I say, slowly. There's always that heart beat of a moment where you have to choose your response.  "But I just picked you up from Aroha. Are you telling me the kidnappers also brought you back?" 

"Well, obviously", she says. 

I push back a smile. "But kidnappers don't usually do that," I say carefully, "why would they do that?" [Bruce said afterwards when I told him about this conversation that he could think of a range of reasons why kidnappers might decide, on reflection, to return my mother.]  

"Well," she says," they knew you were taking me out today and they were afraid of you. On account of your cousin being a cardinal." Then after a pause, "I didn't know you had a cousin who was a cardinal". 

"Maybe that's because I don't  have a cousin who was a cardinal!" I say, and then I start laughing and can't stop. "Why aren't you taking this more seriously?" she says, indignant now. "Because it was a dream!" I choke out, " a dream, mum!" and then she starts laughing. We laugh all the way to church. 

"You know just the right things to cheer me up" she says as we unravel ourselves from the car. I get the walker out of the back and roll it up to the passenger seat. "Your chariot, ma'am" I say. "Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home" sings my mother. "His chariots of wrath the deep thunder clouds form, and dark is his path on the wings of the storm" I sing. "You're so dramatic", she says, as she places Teddy carefully on the walker. 

There are a lot of people at Mass, most of them elderly. My favourite priest is saying Mass - he's in his eighties too. I think of him as Father Chandler on account of his tendency to put stresses on the wrong words in a sentence (Lamb OF God, you take away the sins OF the world ...."). When it comes to communion, he steps forward to give communion to my mother and then pauses. He lays his hands on Teddy's head and makes the sign of the cross on him. "God bless you, Teddy," he says, and there is a murmur of laughter from the congregation. I glance back: everyone is smiling. After Mass, people hover around us, inviting us to stay for coffee. Mum doesn't even glance up. I murmur my thanks - they are kind people, they treat us gently. 

On the way to Dad's, Mum says "I think you've changed recently". I think about all the change that has happened in my life in the last few months, leaving work, feeling displaced and full of grief and anger, uncertain of myself and my future. But also the strange wild joy of being in church. I wonder what she means and feel a moment's anxiety. "Is it good change or bad," I ask. "I'm not sure", she says. "I think you're more confident. But also more aware of people's suffering." This surprises me.

 It's always lovely when we arrive at Dad's. She is full of joy. Dad is happy, welcoming, teasing her, making sure she's comfortable and sitting where she can look out at the garden. The next happy hour flies by. "Time to go," I say. "Oh wait", says Dad. He picks up something from the little table beside him and pulls himself to his feet, heading over to Mum. "I've got something for you," he says, "I've been cleaning out my wardrobe and found this little ring - do you remember, I gave this to you before we were married. Perhaps it can replace the wedding ring you lost.". He bends over her, almost as if, if he could, he'd be going down on one knee. "Jean Emerson," he says solemnly, "will you marry me?"  and he slips the ring on her finger. "Wait!" says Mum, "I thought we were already married??" "Of course we are", he says, "I'm just an old romantic".  She reaches up to stroke his face. 

 On the way back I take Mum for a drive through the cherry blossom at the Esplanade. She's too tired to get out but she gazes and gazes. We sing with the music on the car stereo (I have a special playlist for her now). We're still singing as we walk back into Aroha, even though she's made her usual disparaging remarks (this time it was "Abandon hope all ye who enter here". She may have lost her memory but she can still quote Dante). I unwrap her from the scarf and gloves and hat and put them back into my bag (they will be lost if I leave them there), settle her at the dining table, and kiss her wispy hair. And by the time I reach the door she's forgotten me. 

As I drive home, I grieve over her dream. Because of course she has been kidnapped, snatched out of her home, her life, denied the right to make the choices of how to spend her day. In the place where she's forced to live, she's often as angry, confused and distressed as any kidnap victim. 

I've never doubted that we made the right call, never doubted that there was any other way to care for her. And I suppose, if I wanted to be clever, I could argue that dementia was the real kidnapper, the real villain who had robbed my mother of her freedom and the bright spark of her mind. Perhaps.

But on Wednesday mornings, faithfully and lovingly, her kidnapper takes her home.

Return to the Catholic Church

 

Perhaps my rather peripatetic relationship with the church comes down to the fact I was the child of a mixed marriage.

I hasten to add here that “mixed marriage” had quite a different meaning in the 1950s. When my parents wanted to get married in 1959 there was uproar in the families about where the wedding should take place. It was not a concern to my parents: my mother was a declared atheist and my father more interested in sex, clothes, and rock and roll than existential questions. It was not a concern to my grandfathers: one was an atheist like his daughter and the other didn’t appear to have any religious connection. But both my grandmothers were stubborn, irrational ,and unreasonable women. My Grandma Holdbrook (who hadn’t attended Mass for decades) insisted that if they didn’t get married in the Catholic Church, she’d never speak to them again. My Grandma Emerson (a Northern Irish Protestant from Londonderry) declared that if they got married in a Catholic Church, not only would she never speak to them again but no-one from that side of the family would attend the wedding.

Grandma Holdbrook carried the day. No surprises there, And so my parents were married in St Joseph’s Catholic Church and the only person to attend from my father’s side was his best man and brother, my Uncle Pat. (As an aside, my Grandma Emerson relented 9 months later when I was born and she sent a message to say she would like to meet her first granddaughter.)

 

My mother continued in her atheistic ways until I was 6 when a conversion experience during a thunderstorm sent her to the local Anglican church. I have fond memories of this place: the gentle priest, harvest festivals, and my brother attending a Christmas service one year dressed as a dalek. When we moved to Duffield, I attended a Church of England primary school. But my mother had another encounter with God, and this time she went back to the Catholic Church taking me (and later my sister) with her.

In the years that followed, in New Zealand, my mother taught at the local Catholic school and was very involved at St Thomas Moore Parish. All my parents’ friends were Catholic. This church in the 70s was in the grip of charismatic renewal and we attended a charismatic prayer group for years.

Fast forward to my university years and I was the only Catholic in a very ecumenical group of young people. Most days, I took a sleepy walk down to the Mercy chapel for 6:30am Mass with the nuns. Sundays I would go to Mass in the early morning, catch up with friends at the Christian Centre at 10am, and then join the whole group in the evening for a service at All Saints Anglican church.

I was married in the Catholic Church. Gerard belonged to an eccentric Catholic family, and his complex relationship with the church disrupted my simpler faith. My two older children were baptized in the Catholic Church and I have memories of being a member of the parish council at the then St Patrick’s church, the youngest there by decades, my baby asleep in a basket beside me.

But my faith was unravelling. Parish council meetings were incomprehensible and discouraging, and Gerard’s constant rage about the church was eating away at my naiveté. So when my marriage exploded and I went to see the priest to discuss the situation with him, I finally lost heart. It was no problem, the priest said. We could get an annulment and then it would be “as if the marriage had never happened”. He meant to be kind. I knew that. But I thought about my two young children and the damage I’d experienced through this marriage, and I thought “that is madness. The church has nothing to do with the truth. This is the end for me.” I left, and I thought I’d never go back.

Apart from a blip in my early thirties, though, I could never leave the (small c) church. I spent 15 years at All Saints, becoming a lay minister, lay preacher, and warden, and then 12 years at Central Baptist, again becoming part of the preaching team and an elder. These are stories for another day.

But a little over two years ago now, I woke up one morning with a clear voice in my head: go back to Mass. I was completely flummoxed. Such an idea seemed ridiculous. But the voice was so unmistakable that  I went to Mass at midday at the Cathedral the same day.

It was an ordinary mid-week Mass. There were maybe 30 people in the church. A tired old priest said the Mass pared back to the essentials. And there, in the Eucharist, I found something so remarkable, so holy and mysterious and true, that I struggled to hold back my tears. It was like coming home to something I'd always known but never truly seen before

 

I was cautious at first. It seemed incomprehensible that a female preacher and liturgist could be called to the Catholic church. For six months I carried on attending CB on Sundays but slipped into Mass during the week. Every time was the same: ordinary and remarkable. I could not – I still cannot - describe it. I could not mount a defence of transubstantiation but what I can say is that a great mystery is present every time the Mass is said, something so vast and huge which fills my heart with longing.

Mary Wakefield (from the Spectator, of all places) expresses my own feelings well:

I can still summon my old impression of the Catholic church – kitsch, gloomy, misogynistic – but then there’s how life inside it feels too. It’s like the Tardis or C.S.Lewis’s wardrobe: an unpromising little doorway that happens to open into a whole new land….Transubstantiation, celibate priests, active saints, venerated bones, the dominance of Mary: from a distance, to me they all seem absurd, distasteful. But take a few steps towards them, and they begin to make frightening sense”.

So many things I thought would bother me…don’t. I thought I would mind that all priests were male. But what I’ve noticed is that the priests have a way of….this is so hard to describe – disappearing during the Eucharist, so that who they are really doesn’t matter.

I thought it would bother me that there was no quality preaching in the church. But one priest commented that the homily is not intended as exegesis or teaching: its purpose is to uplift the people of God to prepare them to receive the miracle among them. That makes sense to me. A powerful sermon would distract from what really matters. A powerful preacher cannot help but draw attention to themselves. Instead, everything, everything points to the Eucharist. To that holy miracle of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection and presence among us.

I’ve never attended such a multicultural church. I’d been at the church for about a year when I attended a Maundy Thursday Mass. We sang “One bread, one body”  and as I watched lines and lines of people move towards the altar for communion it seemed like a passage from Revelation, a glimpse of heaven, as people from every nation (darling Indian children in their fancy clothes, slouching teenagers in hoodies, a group of Tokelauan men in native dress) streamed towards the throne.

The Catholic Church is still to me a baffling institution. It’s been incredibly hard to make friends. Their attitude to any kind of prayer outside of the Mass makes me shake my head in bewilderment and frustration. Their meetings are studies in disorganization. I know there are problems, long historical abuses, archaic attitudes to women.

But what I also know is this: that when the priest raises the host there is something there, some call to my heart’s deepest desire, something that I’ve never experienced in any other church, something so full of joy and glory that it calls me back again and again and again.