The English language is ever-evolving, with new words constantly entering the Oxford English Dictionary. For example, during Covid, the expression ‘binge watching’ came into being. With lockdown in place there was little for many to do save to sit on sofas to watch endless box sets on the television. Another addition is ‘selfie’, a self-portrait photograph or short video taken at arm’s length with a smartphone or digital camera.
Lent is an opportunity to take a self-portrait of ourselves and consider the result carefully. What do we see? Are we comfortable in our own skin? Are we aware of fault? Can we trust ourselves to come to an honest conclusion, or in modern slang, ‘to mark our own homework’? Of course, family or friends can be asked to give an opinion. A few would doubtless be only too happy to tell us bluntly where we are lacking, but most will fear to give offence.
The only means of knowing what others think of us would be to imagine reading our own obituary. What might the writer say? Obituary writers feel more at liberty to tell the unvarnished truth once the subject is no longer alive. This has one an obvious drawback. Should we ever have the opportunity to read our own obituary, we will no longer be in a position to learn of or remedy our shortcomings.
There are always exceptions, notably in the case of Alfred Nobel. Born in Stockholm he later embarked on many business ventures, most notably owning a major manufacturer of cannons and other armaments. Nobel’s most famous invention was dynamite, an explosive he patented in 1867. Later, a shed at his factory used for preparation of dynamite exploded, killing five people, including Nobel’s younger brother Emil. A French newspaper mistakenly confused Alfred for his younger brother and published Alfred’s obituary, which called him a “merchant of death” for inventing dynamite. The article so disconcerted Nobel that he changed his will to give a substantial legacy to found the Nobel Prizes including the peace prize.
Nobel was given a rare opportunity to remedy his faults. Lent is our opportunity to do likewise, to acknowledge our sins, seek forgiveness, and turn back to God.
Part of the homily delivered by Rev Canon Richard Grosse at our Ash Wednesday service today. The readings were Isaiah 58.1–12, Psalm 51.1–18 (BCP) and Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21.
Original photo by Manpreet Rattu on Unsplash, cropped to change its aspect ratio.
