The final episode of Rev was rather interesting in that the hero, Revd Smallbone, having been given a really rough review by a mystery worshipper went into a period of self-doubt and had a major 'wobble'.
Indeed such was this 'wobble' that instead of being out 'visiting' (as he'd told his hapless Reader he was going to do) instead he was found at home sitting in his boxers, smoking, drinking and (according to one of our parishioners, the act that went 'just too far') eating Pot Noodle!
Not only that but being forced to choose between cigarettes and Jaffa cakes (no contest as I see it!) he decides to pay for the cigarettes and steal the Jaffas! He compounded the effect of this pit of self-despair (and destruction?) by advising a caller who had rung over someone who was having trouble breathing to call a doctor and put his energies into trying to indulge in a bit of extra-marital endeavour with the head teacher of his CofE school.
This was an episode that moved me greatly. I recognised much from the actions and attitudes of colleagues who have, at times, struggled (and even fallen) and there were elements of burnout, stress, frustration and doubt. In fact, when Castle Vicarage came under siege regarding flowers, the cleric responded with some honest yet rather inappropriate language. Same too when the ever present Colin told him to be honest - the honesty wasn't the sort that he (or indeed others) really wanted to hear. Even the archdeacon came in for a bit of a pop from the depressed and gloomy Vicar (and he did so well in this situation as he did when Colin was threatened with expulsion from the church building).
I felt the pain and saw the humanity and frailty that is so often just an inch away from the reality of ministry for us all. And I do mean 'us all' - we might not swear, smoke, get drunk, offend church members, attempt to indulge in extra-marital affairs or insult the archdeacon, but there is an element within this episode which I recognise in myself and just about every cleric I have met (at the wrong moment).
I found the man to be flawed, fallible and broken and just as I assumed that he was about to hit the rocks and that the man was heading for the door, Isaiah makes an appearance and he is reminded of his calling and his ordination. Faced with the bedside of a dying woman he realises that 'up for it or not' the need is there and the calling needs to be engaged with. Self and self-pity have to be put aside and the cost of discipleship, even for this flawed and fallen disciple, is denying self. If this is what the Clapham omnibus traveller sees in this comedy then some great service has been done. Saying the right thing and being the right person is not always what comes easily, certainly not all the time anyway!
I find in this man a different walk to mine in expression, outworking and living it and yet from it have learned something.
Not a lot of laughs this week - in fact to be honest this episode touched heart and brought tears. Not a man I might know and yet within all that was there the recognition that such a man, were this to be reality (which of course it isn't) would indeed be a brother. Perhaps an exercise in reality (for some I've met) and an opportunity for being humble, honest and sad wrapped in a sheet emblazoned with the word 'comedy'. What a way to finish the first series - felt like I'd been sitting in on a pastoral training seminar!
How would we deal with a brother (or sister) in such a situation? Where would the gentle correction of Galatians be applied and how would corrections, discipline and discipleship be brought to bear such that a ministry continued and those who had been touched were still privileged to be so?
Not so much a funny story but a reflection of a funny old calling perhaps (and the very real struggles some have keeping it on the road).
Pax
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