Four of us went to Verdi’s La Traviata at the Grange Festival in Hampshire last Saturday. On one of the hottest days in the year we were all appropriately dressed – ‘black tie.’ I might have resented being ‘dressed up’ had I not overheard a conversation between an older friend and a much younger great nephew. My friend recounted that her school music teacher had explained that the reason an orchestra dressed formally was ‘to honour the music.’ That was a new thought for me. I realised that how I was dressed for the Grange Festival was not about me at all. It was about the music, the artists, the event – which was wonderful.

I am preaching this Sunday at St Agnes. It’s Whitsunday, Pentecost, the Feast of the Holy Spirit. The word ‘love’ features in the readings set for the day. I cannot get out of my head one of the songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘South Pacific.’

It is the love song ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ which includes the words –
‘Who can explain it, who can tell you why?
Fools give you reasons, wise men never try.’

It will be a short sermon.

At the swimming pool on Monday I signalled to a fellow swimmer, younger and faster than I, that he should go ahead. It is the polite thing to do. After a few more lengths we paused and chatted. He thanked me. I said that I was a slow swimmer and old to which he replied, “Yes, but you have experience.” I took that as the compliment he intended and was pleased. 

It was only later I wondered that, while age brings experience, have I learnt from mine?

Over dinner yesterday I was asked about the cruise and in the course of giving my account many much older memories were reawakened. I am looking forward to friends and family visiting and staying in June and July and possibly another cruise in October. However the truly important and enjoyable moment is now. We live the present moment. Now is the time.

The cruise ends, for me, today. I have become aware over these past twenty days that we really are creatures of habit. On this cruise one is entirely free to choose where to go and what to do. However the same people gravitate towards the same tables for breakfast. The same chairs on the pool deck are occupied by the same people day after day. The same people head for the same seats in the Grand Salon on Deck 6 for lectures or entertainment. But why am I surprised? I know this because I too have been following the same routine.

Thankfully we are not all the same. The same table for one is a different table for someone else and a preferred view for one is rejected by another. The difference lies within each and so there is a wonderful variety of expression and a richness of experience. There may be an exception – sun loungers claimed and disputed. When I get home I must not be put out if someone is sitting in ‘my’ seat in church.