There's A Place for Us
On Wednesday, I saw Lucia di Lammermoor at the MetOpera. Go, NOW! No, I wasn’t in New York City—but Century City for the encore performance of "The Met: Live in HD" series. It was riveting, and I was on the edge of my seat for four hours. Lucia di Lammermoor is a version of the Romeo & Juliet archetypes: star-crossed lovers. It was originally written to take place in 17th Scotland after the fall of the aristocracy. However, just like West Side Story transported the houses of Montague and Capulet to the 1950s Upper West Side, producer Simon Stone takes us on a road trip to the Rust Belt of present-day America.
A technical aside: the turntable of the MetOpera stage is in constant motion at varying speeds throughout the entire production, allowing the set pieces and performers to weave in and out. There are also on-stage Steadicams remaining close-up on the leads even when they’re not singing. This is projected live above the stage in real time. The whole thing is spectacular!
Beyond my urging to support the arts and experience this outstanding achievement—I recount this to reflect on the retelling of these tragedies. It says something about the human condition. The senseless loss of 19 children—the same age as our son Leland—is a chilling reminder of the lessons we’re not learning. Those who live by the sword die by the sword. Most of the lessons my mother tried to teach me are the same ones I’m trying to teach Leland—not because he is incorrigible, but because it requires fortitude, strength, encouragement, and love.
At St. Monica, it’s sometimes difficult to describe what we do and how we do it. Sure, there are sacraments and Sunday worship—but our clergy, staff, ministers, volunteers, and donors contribute to a cause far more remarkable than ritual: discipleship. And just like the disciples at Jesus’ ascension, we are called to go forth to the ends of the earth to preach, baptize, and make disciples of all nations. We hope and pray we are doing that at this parish. Your generosity and support provide that strength and encouragement to continue. Thank you for the myriad ways you provide for Christ’s mission in this parish. United in communion as one family in love, we are sent forth to truly transform lives and this world.
