From The Manse Window

From the manse window

IREMEMBER the night my daughter and I went to the cinema to see “Les Misérables”. Starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, it’s an epic adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel.

Set in post-napoleonic France, it’s a harrowing but ultimately uplifting depiction of social injustice and the grinding effects of poverty.

While some exploit the grim situation with heartless abuse, others respond with generosity or desperate courage.

Romance blossoms in the mounting crisis and people find redemption through faith and love.

While Hugo was critical of religious institutions that became distant and uncaring towards the poor, he kept his belief in God, prayer and a better life to come.

I wept at numerous points throughout! Especially with the hints of resurrection to a new world in the closing chorus:

“We will live again in freedom in the garden of the Lord.

“We will walk behind the ploughshare, we will put away the sword.

“The chain will be broken and all men will have their reward . . .

“Do you hear the people sing, do you hear the distant drums?

“It is the future that we bring when tomorrow comes!”

What an appropriate anthem for the year we’ve been having, and the days of challenge that no doubt still lie ahead.

COVID and lockdown has had a heavy toll on people’s health, both physical and mental, and the social and economic costs worldwide seem incalculable.

At the very least the restrictions can be frustrating, proving a real hindrance to much that is good and wholesome.

We can all feel a natural gloom as the situation drags on, but “Les Mis” has a slogan we can borrow to encourage one another: “Tomorrow comes!”

Over the centuries there have been many crises, but somehow we came through.

Think of the famines or plagues, or the millions killed in wars in the 20th century alone.

It must often have seemed like the end of the world, but tomorrow came, the sun rose and somehow people found the courage to get up and keep going.

Let’s be patient and hope for better days ahead. Let’s not give up dreaming of getting back out to socialise and enjoy things like church, sport and music once more.

We should believe in tomorrow, for much is promised in the Bible for the age that is yet to come.

In the last few pages of Revelation we read that our divine hero will return in glory to overthrow evil, rescue the oppressed, establish justice and prosperity and celebrate never-ending love.

That sounds like something we’d want to be part of.

So let’s not lose heart. These times of trouble will pass. Tomorrow will come. We have his word! ■

Next week: Rev. Ian W.F. Hamilton looks outwards.