GOD SPEAKS IN WHISPERS

Should there be difficulty finding a topic of conversation visiting someone confined to hospital, one suggestion might be “beds”. Searching for something to keep interest alive when all else fails, this, in my experience, certainly helps.

The point of contact here is the unfamiliarity of their current bed with the cosy familiarity of their bed at home. Not too surprising really when we consider that most have been conceived in one, born in one, confined when sick to one, generally sleep in one and, to complete the cycle, go to a better place we hope from one when life finally ends.

Hospitals can be forbidding if only to remind of the narrow margin between health and sickness, and should the sickness last for some time we may become a prey to fears about our future. Speaking about these things when 76 years of age, Jean Vanier the Founder of L'Arche, a community that cares for the weak and disabled, claimed that one view was that these people would be better dead than suffering. Not a widespread view one hopes. We do resent sickness and disability because we feel this should not be apart of nature but to hold a view better dead than suffering, Jean Vanier suggests, may really have its ground in restlessness within oneself that requires acknowledgement and faced. Perhaps Vanier says God is trying to speak through these things to a world seemingly obsessed with health, technology and intelligence. The dynamism of L'Arche derives from the care, compassion and love for all those in it however damaged. In my limited experience these are also largely present in our hospitals where the medical staff show dedication and care.

The last word maybe to the Book of Job: 'God speaks first in one way and then another but no one notices. But when men are all asleep in bed then he whispers in their ear'. (Job 33;14ff)

Fr. David  

COMPTON VERNEY IN OCTOBER

After shadow comes revelation. The new special exhibition, which runs until 9th December, is an up-to-date collection of Naked Portraiture. This is a genre where the individuality of the sitter is revealed without the social façade of clothes. Works of photography, painting and sculpture are included by artists who include Diane Arbus, Tracey Emin, Lucian Freud, Gilbert & George and Rodin. An elderly friend of mine who saw the exhibition in Edinburgh recommends the 'absolute beauty' of Linford Christie.

Tours this month included in the price of admission are on Oct 5th of the grounds, starting at 2.30pm on the 19th of the special exhibition at 3.00pm and on every Wednesday of the permanent collection at 12.00 and 2.30pm. For £12 there is a lecture on Sat. 6th October on 'The Striptease Culture' and on Sat 20th October on the new Oliver Cromwell miniature and its creator Samuel Cooper. Lectures begin at 2pm and include admission to the exhibition. Half Term has Compton Verney providing special interest events from 23rd - 26th October - Sketch fantastic faces, make a clay face to take home, listen to a professional storyteller and join in the workshop making a ginormous bust. For further information ring 01926 645500.

CJ  

THE GREAT WILD READ-IN AT COMPTON VERNEY