Advent Twelve - Christ for All Nations

 12) Iran

No room at the Inn
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King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores. 2 And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.  Book of Esther

We know the hero of this story is Esther.  Many times in the Jewish bible, the people of Israel faced annihilation.  The powerful Persian emperor was an unwitting party to this.  How was he to know the significance of  these vanquished  people.  Courage and selflessness on both the party of Mordecai and his niece Esther saved an entire people.

Purim, the festival that remembers this act reminds me that there is another selfless act to look forward to.  The coming of Jesus brings us hope; our link with people in high places.

PRAYER:   We honour the people of Iran, and their place in our history.  We pray your blessing be upon them.

Synagogue in Isfahan

Armenian cathedral in Isfahan

Advent Eleven - Christ for all Nations

 11) Israel

The New Jerusalem
Credit: Wikipedia

37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Matthew 23

Jesus frets over the state of Jerusalem.

Israel holds a special place in Britain.  I was struck by this today as Rabbi Mervin spoke on 'Thought for the Day'.  He spoke eloquently about the predicament of Israel.  But I thought the opposite narrative would not be tolerated for Palestine.  Even in our secular country, Israel holds a special place.

Across this country, church's have in their windows depictions of the Holy Land.  This small country on the far east side of the Mediterranean still holds a position other similar sized countries, such as Lebanon or Cyprus do not.  The Christmas story is told in a time of upheaval. Israel remains on the edge.  A land that appears always to be stressed.  Never settled and peaceful.  We pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

PRAYER:  We pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and all those who strive for peace in our time.

Advent Ten - Christ for All Nations

 10) India

British Museum 18th Century Mogul Nativity
Credit:  BBC

 28 They sailed to Ophir and brought back 420 talents of gold, which they delivered to King Solomon. 1 King 9

Solomon's temple to the Lord drew on the wealth of Ophir, (which is derived from the Coptic for India).  But the location of Ophir is not really known.  The kingdom of Xerxes is a better reference.  The start of Esther this is said to stretch as far as India (or Hodu).

There is nothing in the Bible that says St Thomas went to India. Stories of St Thomas however do appear to go back a long way.  Here is a link to a discussion in Catholic Café.

Now India is thriving in all areas.  The believers are amazing from ever quarter.  

PRAYER:  May wisdom and creativity bless the world through the people of India.

Jemini Roy 1950

Advent Nine - Christ for All Nations

 9) Spain (Iberia)

Fin de Noche-Buena, by Francisco Ortego and Bernardo Rico, 1858
Credit shannonselin.com

I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. Romans 15 vs 24

This is a wonderfully intriguing message in Paul's letter to the Romans.  Paul is under house arrest in Rome, the epicentre of the known world.  He will have heard about the goings on in all the provinces.  Iberia took his interest, though we understand he never got there.  He had a big vision.  Let us also keep a big vision, which looks beyond our small world.  I love the fact that even in little (Ed- surely Great!) Faringdon, many people from around the world appear, as if by magic.  Each has a purpose and is not forgotten.  

PRAYER:  We pray that Spain will continue to be in Your heart.  You were there before Paul even thought of the trip.

The picture?  It is of Christmas eve (the most holy part of the festival to may Catholic nations), where everyone is exhausted and asleep, and the cats finish the food.

Advent Eight - Christ for All Nations

 8) Greece

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.    1 Corinthians 1 verse 22

Some people are suspicious of everything, and hold back.  Others are open and receptive.  They love new things and dive into new discoveries, but their experience does not last.  Still others are able to see the hand of the Creator.  They see through 'so called' wisdom and academic argument.  For us today, this is our materialistic philosophy that says miracles do not exist, and 'religion' is a comfort to explain the unexplainable.  For me, I say the miracle that I know beyond question, is that I am loved, have a purpose, and need not worry (though surrounded by worries).  Also that I start from the perspective of knowing my Creator, just as I knew my father, except that my Creator is alive and with me daily, where as my father is no longer alive.  I do not question my father, and I do not question my Creator.

PRAYER:  May the Greeks, who's nation created the psyche of Europe, and afar, know the presence of the Creator, and given themselves to this wisdom.

Advent Seven - Christ for All Nations

 7) Ethiopia

Credit LOJS.com

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
    and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
    Who can speak of his descendants?
    For his life was taken from the earth.”

34 The man asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the man did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Ashdod and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Is it not a miracle that the peoples of the mountainous and isolated kingdom of Ethiopia knew about the Jewish scripture and sent people to collect it, and bring it home?  It shows me that the truth within the Hebrew writings was already speaking to the world around about.  If you want to know the truth.  If you seek it, you will not only find it, but it will be given to you miraculously, in a way that will ensure that doubts cease.   

PRAYER:  May the people of Ethiopia have a great understanding about the purpose and meaning of life.  May we hear them speak.

Advent Six - Christ for All Nations

 6) Egypt

Credit The Coptist.com

10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. 11 As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”

14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. 15 And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.

17 But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” 20 Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had. Genesis 12

Egypt was the great powerhouse south of the Holyland.  From the beginning of the biblical account, it has always had a strong and significant presence.  It is a place of refuge, but not a benign force as we read.

My thought is that we are like people who have had a million pounds put in our bank account, but we forget this.  We don't need to beg, or make things up.  Our Creator is with us and  helps us negotiate the complexities and risks around us. Abraham and Sarah once again drew on their own intuition, rather than look to the Creator of all things.

PRAYER:  May the people of Egypt continue to be central to your purpose.  May Egypt be a place of refuge to many. 

Advent Five - Christ for All Nations

 5) Dalmatia (Now Croatia)

Christmas in Croatia
Credit: Tera-Balka.com

9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. 2 Timothy 4:10 

The mountains along the Dalmatian coast have created a natural boundary for centuries.  The people in this area live in this strip of land between the mountains and the sea, much like in Norway or Chile. This is why the map of Croatia looks like a horseshoe on its side. 

My friend David Macha wrote a thesis on the power of 'schism' to be a force for good.  A paradox, but just as the cell splits, when believers divide and go off in different direction, something positive can also happen.  The Creator can turn all things from bad to good.  And so Titus left and went to Dalmatia.  

PRAYER:  We marvel that you take brokenness and imperfection, and craft it into good.

ADHD and all that

Credit: The Times Newspaper

Today Wes Streeting, Health Secretary, says he has commissioned a review of ADHD and other mental health diagnosis with a Clinical Psychologist.  Well he could ask me for free.

Indeed I admit to sending an email to his personal inbox in the past, but I've had no reply as yet, and yes, I don't ever expect to receive one.

My study over the last twenty odd year is as follows:-

The issue of diagnosis is significant at a number of levels.

1) Parents and Adults are invested in the idea of diagnosis.  It's part of our culture.  There were diagnosis in the past, there always have been, and they are loaded with meaning.  It was ever thus.  A diagnosis in some way solidifies the problem.  It simplifies it, and can often help people feel that they have got a handle on it.  All labels also come with side effects.  Waiting on an NHS list is a bit like being on a housing list, where I entertain a hope about something that is always in the future. 

2) Waiting lists are not inevitable.  Some waiting lists are use to manage the problem itself.  Like the Hillsborough enquiry, it was so long all the police officers that were in the firing line were retired (so they couldn't be fired.)  Waiting lists are to do with taking on more work than you can deliver on.  It's like cash flow, or a ferry port where more people arrive than the number of boats available.  In the NHS the waits are seen as a good thing, because they emphasis the importance of the job.  ADHD and ASD assessments for children are now up to 4 years.  What is the maximum waiting time permitted?  6 years? After a while the service becomes a non-service (and a nonsense.)  What I would do is have a clear priority model, where early signs of difficulties are supported by appropriate people without the need for formal diagnosis.  The focus should be on functioning services and success.  

3) The other problem with diagnosis is that it simplifies.  What I am saying is that 'nature and nurture' co-exist, and both are always involved. Parents are sensitive to the idea that they have a part to play in 'the problem', Naturally they feel blamed and judged.  But of course they are involved.  No child is an island, and this is no bad thing.  A third of children are said to show some signs of insecurity in the bonding and attachment.  This means it's part of life, or normal.  There is a risk that the label can dull necessary action. It is always good to look at strengthening human bonds and ties.  This is often a prime need for children.

So Wes, I would suggest, have some clearer criteria about who and what goes to a doctor for diagnosis.  

Have a clear plan for children who do not need a doctor, including better funding for educational psychology, and family support workers in Local Authorities.

We all need to be educated about neurodiversity and see it as more normal within society.  Universities such as Leeds are doing great work to show the strengths of neurodiversity.  

The first five years continue to be the most significant for the development of positive mental wellbeing.

And finally Wes, stop picking on people who need to use the benefit system to provide them with security (it's called social security).  Get on with that idea to enable people with mental ill health to work by underwriting their sickness, so that they are more attractive to prospective employers. It's called 'Give in a go' and it due to come in in a years time (not 4 please.)

Advent Four - Christ For All Nations

 4) Cyprus

Credit: Cypruspost.post

6 They travelled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Acts 13

Cyprus; the observing nation.  The Island floating off the coast of Israel/Palestine.  A safe way from the troubles in the middle east (though it is still divided, and has had it's own degree of mess). 

The passage says that the Roman governor was a intelligent man, and was able to see that what was going on across the water was worth investigating.  Paul and Barnabas were prepared to explain the good news, and registered strong opposition from the Governor's personal sorcerer. 

When we are filled with the Spirit of the Creator we are able to do things with boldness and confidence.  This is true for all of us.  The Spirit within us gives us what we need; we do not need to invent it or summon in up ourselves.

PRAYER: You came to earth for all people, so that all can be free.

Advent Three - Christ for All Nations

 3) Bulgaria

Christmas in Bulgaria 1944
Credit Bridgeman Images

Bulgaria in the Bible?  Yes, indeed, this is very tenuous.  The Slavs arrived in Eastern Europe in the 6th Century.  But in the New Testament days, Bulgarian lands were occupied by the pastoral horsemen of Scythian origin.  

Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.  Colossian 3 vs 11

Interestingly, the Bulgarians are Slavs, and the word slave is sadly derived from the word Slav. 

PRAYER:  May all Bulgarians be free, as they realise the central importance of Christ coming to us as a child, and believing that whatever questions life throws at us, Christ is the answer.

Advent Two - Christ for All Nations

2) Armenia

 “As long as the earth endures,

seedtime and harvest,

cold and heat,

summer and winter,

day and night

will never cease.”

Genesis 8:22

This is the Creator's promise after the great flood.  It speaks of endurance.  This is something the tiny nation of Amenia has in abundance.

Is Armenia a shadow nation to Israel?  A small nation surrounded by empires.  I nation with its own history, language and script.  It has also experienced many wars, injustices, genocides, and forced removal.  Both the Israelites and the Armenians ended up being moved to Persia.  There are fine synagogues and churches from both peoples in Isfahan.

The mention of Armenia in the bible is tenuous.  Noah's ark is said to have come to rest at the top of Mount Ararat.  The wonderful story of Noah is famously cited in eight language scripts.  Ararat is is Turkey today, but it is emotionally claimed by the Armenians.  They have a famous football team named after the mountain.  (They also have one called FC Noah). Amenia was the first country in the world to designate itself as Christian in AD 301.

PRAYER:  Thank you Lord for the people of Amenia, and their faithful decedents who have been scattered across the world.

Advent One -Christ for All Nations

 1) Arabia

Hagar in the Desert by Marc Chagall.
Credit

24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women (Hagar and Sarah) represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.  Galatians 4

There are significant miraculous births throughout the Hebrew scriptures. This one makes a fork in the road.  The passage relates to the birth of Ishmael/Ismail, followed by Isaac.  Half brothers though their father Abraham, or Ibrahim, Ishmael is regarded to be the father of the Arab nation. Isaac, the father of the Jews.    

In the Torah, Hagar (Ishmael's mother) was Sarah's maid/slave.  Abraham and Sarah, doubted the assurance that they would be parents and decided to take matters into their own hands. Sarah gave her slave Hagar to her husband, This of course, did not go well.  Later Sarah conceived a child - Isaac.

In the letter to the Galatians, Paul describes these two ways of living.  The first is led by human intuition.  This is what Sarah and Abraham did to Hagar.  Though "successful" it was cruel and selfish.  The second is lead by the Spirit of the Creator.  It is omnipotent and transformative.  It also involves faith and peace.  It will happen because it has been prophesied. God has read (and written) the whole story already.

PRAYER: May the people of Arabia be free, and lead by the inspired Word of the Creator.

9 Questions about The 39 Steps

 

These are the questions that arise from watching Alfred Hitchcock's 39 Steps. (Click for a link to a free viewing of the film.)

1) The film was made in 1935.  John Buchan wrote the novel in 1915.  He died in 1940.  What did Buchan make of the adaptions to his novel.  Did he like the film? Answer: Apparently Buchan liked the film.  He was 'sanguine' about the adaptations made to the plot, and even said it was an improvement on the original story.  He was paid £800 for the rights (about £73,000 today). 

2) The mysterious lady (alias Annabella Smith) is killed in the early morning whilst staying in Richard Hannay's upstairs flat.  We see an open window,  She staggers into the sitting room and collapses with a knife in her back.  What happened?  Answer:  We can only assume that someone climbed the outside of the building, or broke in in the night, and escaped through the window.  It was quite an impressive feat, whatever happened.

3) Why was Hannay spared?  His association with the mysterious lady was noted, and the gang was clearly ready for murder.  Answer: It would have wrecked the plot.

4) What happened to the milkman?  Hannay exchanged clothes with the milkman in order to escape.  Did he think about what might have happened to the milkman?  Did he care? Answer: Do we care?

5) How did the news of the murder get into the papers so quickly, following Hannay where ever he went right up into the highlands of Scotland?  Answer:  technology is going backwards.  Things were more advances in 1935.

6) Hannay escapes on the Forth bridge.  He then makes it all the way to Alt-na-Shellach, in the Highlands.  That is pretty good going. How did he do it? Answer:  He is a well paid professional actor with a team behind him.

7) Hannay makes it to Alt-na-shellach but discovers that it is the home of the well connected gangland leader Professor Jordan.  He is shot in the chest.  He collapses, and Professor Jordan leaves his slumped body to go for supper without checking that he is dead.  Surely this is shoddy work?  Hannay is able to make his escape because the bullet hit the prayer book in the breast pocket of the coat he borrowed. Answer:  Life is full of shoddy work and miraculously placed prayerbooks.

8) It is a remarkable deduction that Mr memory (the savant) has memorised the military plans. This twist is needed to round the plot off.  Would anyone else have guessed it?  Would you have guessed? Answer:  Mr Hannay, you are the savant.  

9) These are Mr Memory's  dying words before being shot by Professor Jordan, "The 39 Steps is an organisation of spies, collecting information on behalf of the foreign office of ..."

Very cleaver.  What was the word that was never said?  Answer:

Getting a Measure

 Measure for Measure- 17th October 2025 - After Show Q&A.

Cover of Penguin edition
Credit National theatre Shop

These are the thoughts that came from the after show Q&A with the actors.

Emily Burns, the director, was not present but much was said about her choices and liberties in cutting and crafting the current script.

It was argued that the historic tradition of cutting a pasting other works gave her this licence.  Emily used speeches from other Shakspearian plays, and by other playwrights such as Aphra Ben.  The text is not sacred- the story is.  I was reminded of this debate around religious texts, and how far to go.  Most religions retain ancient languages and sacred texts to protect the primitive version.

A Viennese resident in the audience asked if there was any awareness of Vienna.  The play only references Vienna once or twice, and the answer was no.  It was a play for all seasons, and places. I thought that Shakespeare probably did not have a clue about Vienna either.  It's just an exotic sounding place full of Italians.

We discussed the fact that over the last 400 years, this plot remains credible.  Mighty men and pragmatic women, who trade power and status for sex and 'belle laide'. The play orientated from the start with pictures of recent sex scandals and current gasp and cringe inducing stories.

The morality and status of sex may have changed.  It can be argued that prophylactics have reduced the risks of exposure (and the unequal impact on the parties).  The general message remains the same; everyone's at it, and although perhaps concerning, surely no a serious crime.  But today the issue of sex with minors remains critical. The abuse of power merciful continues to be a shocking taboo.

The play leaves the final outcome, the dukes proposal to Isabella, up in the air.  Across the recent decades we learn of the different interpretation to this paradoxical finale.  In the 50's she is delighted to be propositioned by the Duke.  In the 80's she slaps him in the face.  In our play, she ambiguously jumps...into the air, flying away, to where?  Is she the only one who is not afraid to die?

For me the shock in this play (as a brother) is when Claudio pleads with Isabella to prostitute herself to save his life.  He is very scared of death, and I think Isabella is very disturbed by this.  Something dies in her.  Claudio minimises and justifies the sin.  When is comes to, (of course) he is destined to die anyway.  Why trust an evil dictator?   

Isabella is the only character who appears to be free. Tormented, yes, like Hamlet, but also like Hamlet, living to a higher authority. 

Advent Advert - Christ for all Nations

 

The Abuhav Synagogue in Safed, Galilee
(Itamar Grinberg/Wikimedia Commons)

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8

It seems preposterous to claim that the birth of one little baby, and his subsequent reasonably short life remains significant for the entire planet.  Humanity may have existed in a recognisable form for 300,000 years.  For all who know Jesus and believe in a just and loving Creator, the story is eternal.  We believe that Jesus has lived with creation from the beginning of time.  This same Jesus came and lived in one small and insignificance location on the earth, at one precise moment in history. 

Against all the odds the life of Jesus of Nazareth, has been shared across the globe,  Rulers and dukes have embraced this gospel.  History say the first was Tiridates III of Armenia in 301, then Constantine in 312, and for Britain, Alfred the Great, and William, duke of Normandy.  True lives of faith have been few and far between, and the gospel has run counter to much of what has happened in history, including the religious wars, slavery and the holocaust.

I have found 24 countries which are linked to the good news story as related in the Bible.  The connections are admittedly tenuous as many people groups have moved around.  Often, the only things that remain the same are the shapes of the hills.

But is gives me an excuse to travel around the Mediterranean, and pray for 24 counties as we prepare for the significant celebration of Christmas.

PRAYER: I believe you are just and loving, and care for all living things.

A Strong Tower

There are many Mottes left in UK cities and countryside.  The wooden fort has long gone.  But when they are made of stone, they often persevere.  

Leicester Castle Motte

The towers I have partially enjoyed visiting have been the Castle in Launceston, the first county town of Cornwall.

Launceston Castle- Cornwall

Another which I visited when at a conference in Doncaster, was Conisborough Castle.

Conisborough Castle- South Yorkshire

These are building not to live in, but to live near.  At times when I might feel vulnerable, I can head there and baton down the hatches.  I feel safer, and use the advantage they offer.

Proverbs 18 verse 10 says "The name of the Lord is a fortified tower.  The righteous run into it and they are saved."

I think of this message when I see these high places.  

The securely attached infant knows where to run when they feel scared.  They run to a high tower and climb up their parent.  

Verse 11 says the wealthy see their riches as a fortified city.  The imagine that they are impregnable.  We know that the strong tower is secure.  The fortified city is an illusion.

Prayer:  I am like someone with million pounds in the bank.  All I need to do is to draw on you.  I live near a strong tower.  I never wander far away.  I run to you when I am in need.  Your presence gives me courage to be strong. 

My Theory of Race, Gender and Sexuality

 

Gender?  Credit deamtime.com

Frederick Bruce Thomas- Wikipedia

My Theory of Race, Gender and Sexuality

 My sister-in-law objected to my mother-in-law saying that from behind she might be mistaken for a man. My daughter often is, with her short hair and unisex attire.  But does it matter?  The status and definitive attributes of gender seems to be in decline.  Do we really need to be defined by our gender?  It remains a powerful descriptor, and perhaps always will be.  Two children recently refused to work with me, citing my gender as the problem.  A colleague of mine was recently working in a girls school, where the student she met identified as a boy, what's more he had a boyfriend, who was also at the school.  Surely the school needed to redefine itself as co-ed?  

When we note a difference in ethnicity, it appears to be almost obligatory to remark on it.  “I was visited by that nice neighbour of yours;  you know, the black one.” When gender remains unknow, it is an open question that needs an answer.  "Did they have a girl or a boy?"  I'm not sure, does it matter?

Research demonstrates that little children pick up on race and gender as young as three years old.  They are also aware of the status there family occupies in society.  Awareness of race and gender appear to be subliminal.  It is very difficult not to notice race and gender.  With it come a host of social constructions and assumptions.  These are created by the prevailing culture of the time.  Perhaps the detection of difference has an inherent biological function, but it is certainly complicated by the social mire of rank and power. 

In the book ‘The BlackRussian’ by Vladimir Alexandrov, Frederick Thomas, born in 1872, an American second generation freed (black) slave, notes that in Russia he did not appear to experience the racism that the black people experienced in America.  It was a pleasant surprise.  However he also recognised that discrimination towards Jews was prevalent, so was very aware that Russia was no utopia. 

Sexuality is one of those differences that has for time immemorial caused concern, indignation and hatred in most mysterious ways to the majority (but never all) of society.  It is still very dangerous in many countries to be openly homosexual.  Even in the UK, sexuality still creates a stir, and I again put this down to inherent biases relating to biology, rather than ethics.  The thought of homosexual sex make most heterosexual people squirm, (and I guess it does in the opposite way round).  Queen Vitoria famously expressed views that there was nothing wrong with lesbianism because she could not see how women could have sex.  

My theory is that a process goes on it a greater or lesser extent in all of us, as we detect gender, race and to some extent sexuality automatically (ie subliminally before thinking about it.)  Sometimes when early assumptions are challenged, for example when we realise a boy is a girl, there can be a recognisable shift in our thinking in our brain that we can observe.  Likewise if we have 'clocked' someone to be one ethnicity, and we discover they are something different, we can observe the 'recomputing' that goes on in our brain. 

The recompute happens because we have social stereotypes are automatically being fitted to the person, and now must he removed and reappraised. 

If my theory is correct I suggest that the best approach, to ensure that this does not control our behaviour and attitudes, is to first accept that this happens, and then to put it to one side, and take the negative power out of the assumption.

A Nigerian psychiatrist told me once that he sadly assumed all the people he met would be racist, even the black people.  "Is the doctor properly qualified?  What did they learn in 'their' country?  We I be able to understand them?  Should I get a second opinion?"  When people treated him with respect, he was pleasantly surprise.

I try to recognise the assumptions that are coming into my mind.  I do not blame myself for these.  These are swilling around in society.  But my job is to spot them, and ensure that their power is limited.

 

Mosaic

Giuseppe (our host) trained in art and mosaic in Monreale.  Surely there can be no better place to learn.  He went on to become and art history teacher, and make many mosaics, having exhibitions and decorating his restaurant in Partinico. 

See this in MamaRosa in Partinico, Sicily.

I was reminded of the wonderful story of the discovery of Chedworth Roman Villa in 1864.  The Game Keeper was hunting rabbits, and his dog disappeared down a hole for rather a long time.  When the dog returned, the game keeper notice some cube shaped stones.  He pocketed them and showed them to the Earl of Eldon, the land owner.  The Earl had done the grand tour and recognised tesserae immediately, and called in the archaeologists.  The site became a Victorian sensation, and it pretty much has remained so since then.  

The mosaics we saw in Palermo (and environs) were sensational. 

• Cefalu Cathedral
• The Palatine Chapel
• Monreale Cathedral

There were more that we did not see.  The Church of St Mary dell'Ammiraglio, and Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti. 

Santa Rosalia

I saw a recumbent elephant in the mountain across from where we are staying.  Giuseppe, who has lived here for over 70 years has always seen a recumbent girl, with her back turned to us, and hair flowing out (as opposed to trunk of elephant.)  Far more romantic.  

The pageant passing through Quatro Canti, Palermo
Credit drintle.com

Rosalia was of Royal Norman decent.  She did the counter-cultural thing by eschew privilege and opting instead to live as a hermit in a cave in the Pellegrino hills above Palermo.  And that would have been that.  For hundreds of year she was remembered and revered.  Then in the midst of a seventeenth century plague, a woman found human remains in a cave.  She brought them back down into the city, and miraculously the plague departed.  The bones are now in the Cathedral, and Santa Agata had to become second saint of Palermo, because Santa Rosalia had saved the city.   

On Monday we joined the citizens of Palermo outside the cathedral.  We were told to get there by 6:30.  Nothing happened until 9:30, except the action going on about us all the time.  The crowds built up steadily.  We were reassured that we hadn't missed the nod about the correct start time.  Perhaps it's like the airport, with the opportunity for an enhanced duty free experience.  The information on the internet was very vague.  The many posters splashed across the city published by the church didn't even mention Monday.  They were more interested in Tuesday.  Monday is the 'pre-festival'.   This is largely secular, and supposed to be riotous.  Halloween is better known that All Saints day in a similar way.  The church is worried that the populous will become tired and drunken, unable to get up for church, especially as it is a local bank holiday. 

For three hours we watched the hawkers trying to get every women, and then the men, to buy rose headbands.  We saw the uniformed police, carabinieri, firemen, football teams (Rosalia FC), Croce Rosa and marshals doing their thing.  There were men dressed in ancient military uniforms.  They mingled and marched and looked splendid and important.

The VIPs assembled in the balconies overlooking the street.  From time to time the sound system blared out a girl's voice, calling to us to stay strong, and survive.  The saint was still at work.

At last the distant floats we could seen by the Porta Nuova started to inch forward, and all the uniformed officers jumped into action.  They had to clear the way of people in a hurry to avoid another calamity for the city. But where can a street full of people be move to?  We were tactically positioned behind a barrier, next to a lamp post which offered some protection, and near to a marshal (surely the last people who are going to be crushed.)   With the skill only Italians possess, the street was cleared onto the pavement, and we found ourselves pressed all about with hot bodies.  everyone was very kind and patient.  Three very old ladies, one of whom could speak English having lived in London some time ago. were there to help and protect us.  They kept us informed about the goings on, and one showed us the local TV station on her phone, who were covering the event.  The presence of the saint could be felt.

Our new friends explained that Tuesday was the real event.  Tomorrow was when the sacred relict would be taken out and processed.  Indeed the Cathedral had it's own set of decorations and lights that were not in use on Secular Monday.  Tomorrow there would be choirs, bands, pointy hats and the effigy of Rosalia and her reliquary, to be held aloft and carried with mesmeric swaying down a different route. We were leaving Palermo so unfortunately we were to miss the serious bit.  

But tonight things were just hotting up.  As the floats passed us, with booming music, a light show was projected onto the cathedral.  By now we had been squeezed away from our prime position by the general mass of people and were around the corner from the cathedral  Fortunately all could seen vicariously via the numerous images of the event on people's phones held aloft.  Periscopes everywhere, enabling us to see round corners. 

And there was young and beautiful Rosalia, comforting her people.  The people cheered.  Then the Bishop came out and sneaked in a very long sermon (well it was in Sicilian.) We could guess the contents.  Praises be to Rosalia. 

We nipped to our flat across the filled-in river, and then joined the mass of young people heading for the sea.  We arrived to the sound of 'Land of Hope and Glory' as the firework display began.  Following a stream of people we ascended the stairs onto a Doric colonnaded gazebo, and saw stars between the pillars.   The tremendous show was slightly obscured, but the atmosphere was tremendous, with people about us dancing the the thunderous music and explosions. I was reminded how we have always opted for pillars at Stratford, and always appreciated a great show.

The Logia on the Foro Italico (taken in 1914) sea front
in Palermo where we saw the fireworks. The gardens now stretch
 a further 50 meters into the sea.  After the second world war, the
rubble from the ruins was dumped into the sea and then
 eventually landscaped into gardens.
Credit Wikipedia. 

The Grotto of Santa Rosalia
Credit: Wikipedia, Stendhal55