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Lent is a time of testing and penitence, but especially of reflection. Last week I had the privilege of seeing Amadeus at the National Theatre, and I began to think about the sin of envy and how it can invade our lives.
Michael Longhurst’s Amadeus is mesmerizing, and uses innovative staging techniques (including the integration of a huge onstage orchestra into the dramatic action) to convey the central theme of the play: jealousy. The God-fearing, diligent, principled Salieri feels mocked by the musical genius that God has bestowed upon the childish buffoon Mozart. Salieri experiences a jealousy of such proportion that it propels him to take revenge on the young genius, poisoning him on behalf of “mediocrities everywhere”. Playwright Peter Shaffer makes it clear that Salieri’s attack on Mozart is part of a perpetuation of a war with God, by whom Salieri feels personally betrayed:
“I heard the music of true forgiveness filling the theatre, conferring on all who sat there perfect absolution. God was singing through this little man to all the world, unstoppable, making my defeat more bitter with every passing bar”.
Throughout the play Salieri grapples with the question: How can man be both divinely inspired and, at the same time, so vulgar? Salieri cannot overcome his jealousy, becoming more and more obsessed; he is determined to destroy the very mouthpiece of God’s divine music. In the end, the depth of Salieri’s bitterness and sense of betrayal by God drives him mad.
Salieri was consumed by envy because he compared himself (virtuous and musically competent, if mediocre) with Mozart (dreadful but musically divine). Proverbs 14:30 tells us, “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.”
Jesus is tested in the wilderness. We are all tested all the time, especially during Lent. We can make choices as to how to respond to that testing. Perhaps the lesson of Antonio Salieri is that the brilliance of others can be such a test. What God hopes for each of us is more than we can understand. But that, and that alone, should be our focus.
The Revd Charlotte Bannister - Parker Acting Priest - in - Charge |
| | Services
—Tuesdays & Thursdays at 12.15pm
Lunchtime Eucharist —
Sunday 2nd April Lent 5 / Passion Sunday
10.30am - Sung Eucharist
Preacher - Hugh Conway Morris
There will be no Family Service this Sunday.
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| | A Chance to Think: an open study group to meet at 12.45 - 13.30 each Thursday of Lent, following on from the 12.15 Eucharist. We shall be studying the Gospel of Mark in the light of Rowan Williams' book 'Meeting God in Mark'. This week we will focus on Mark 12.38-14.52. Bring your own sandwiches. Tea and coffee provided.
Sermons
We are having some difficulties with putting sermons up in the usual place on the website. They be temporarily be found under 'news' where you will find both Erica and Alan's recent sermons. http://www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk/news/
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| | 'Understanding'
A new 5-part course for those interested in learning more about Christianity.
Aimed at those preparing for Confirmation, but open to all. Please join us in the Old Library at 12 noon.
Sunday 2nd April: Prayer |
| | | | Date for your diary: Installation of Revd Dr Will Lamb as Vicar
Advanced notice of the date of the installation, induction and institution of Revd Dr Will Lamb as our new Vicar by the Bishop and Archdeacon of Oxford. The service will be on 2nd May at 7.30pm followed by drinks in the church.
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| | | Forthcoming Concerts & Other Events
Brontë, a play by Thistledown Theatre
23rd - 25th March & 29th March - 1st April, 7.30pm in the Old Library
This extraordinary play evokes the real and imagined worlds of the Brontës, as their fictional characters come to haunt their creators. In 1845, Branwell Brontë returns home in disgrace, plagued by his addictions. As he descends into alcoholism and insanity, bringing chaos to the household, his sisters write…
In conjunction with the run of this show, the Vaults and Garden Cafe (directly below the venue) will be open for a pre-show supper each evening from 6pm.
Check our website and Facebook pages for more events.
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| | | Poetry Corner
CALL FOR ACTORS
On 29th July a new reworking of seven of the key York Mystery Plays will be performed in Radcliffe Square and the University Church. These have been rewritten by local Oxford groups, including one play (The Crucifixion and Resurrection) by members of St Mary’s congregation. We are casting a wide range of roles, from the large (God) to the small (Demon 3!). If you are interested in a role, please contact Penny (penny.boxall@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk). All are very welcome to take part in what promises to be an exciting and novel community performance, and for those who are unsure, we prize enthusiasm as much as acting experience. Rehearsals will be held in June and July, before the two performances in the afternoon and evening of Saturday, July 29th.
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| | Community Notices
Frideswide Voices Frideswide Voices - Oxford's choir for girl choristers- will hold taster sessions for interested Year 2 girls on Monday 20th March at Worcester College and on Monday 24th April at Christ Church. Auditions are scheduled for Saturday 6th May 2017 for entry from the start of Year 3 in Sept 2017. See www.frideswidevoices.co.uk for full details
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