The circus family that Barnum recruited initially are also invited to the performance . Though they are given the cheap seats in the far reaches of the balcony , they have dressed up in their best clothes and are deeply moved by this opera singer ’ s stunning voice . But when they go to the reception afterwards , Barnum turns them away at the door . His excuse is that they need to get ready for their own show that night . But the truth is , he does not want his “ freaks ” to mingle with the “ elite .” His action of exclusion belies his vision of the circus as an inclusive family of misfits and outcasts where all are welcome .
It is at this point , that the Bearded Lady begins to sing :
I am not a stranger to the dark , Hide away , they say , ‘ Cause we don ’ t want your broken parts .
These are the opening lines of an anthem of inclusivity that could be the theme song for the New Creation . And I don ’ t mean because life in the Society of the Precious Blood is a three-ring circus — though I must admit the last seven years as provincial I ’ ve sometimes felt like a ringmaster — but rather because the song reveals how each person ’ s uniqueness contributes to the inclusive vision of a new heavens and a new earth .
At the heart of this song , seeping through every line , is the blood of Christ :
I ’ ve learned to be ashamed of all my scars , run away , they say , no one ’ ll love you as you are .
But I won ’ t let them break me down to dust I know that there ’ s a place for us For we are glorious .
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down I ’ m gonna send a flood , gonna drown ‘ em out , I am brave , I am bruised , I am who I ’ m meant to be , this is me . Look out ‘ cause here I come And I ’ m marchin ’ on to the beat I drum , I ’ m not scared to be seen , I make no apologies , this is me .
The lyrics of this soundtrack and especially this song capture the “ big tent ” vision of the kingdom of
God . We heard this vision recently in Mark ’ s gospel when Jesus ’ family comes to take him away because they believe he is “ out of his mind ” as he is surrounded by all the misfits , sinners , and lost souls who hunger and thirst for his message of mercy , love , and hope . In a sense his family was right — he was out of his mind : the mind that divides communities , the mind that polarizes between left and right , traditional and progressive , liberal and conservative , the mind the judges on appearance or race or age or creed or gender or sexual orientation . Yes , this is the mind that we must lose in a world where people are crying out for inclusion , acceptance , and reconciliation .
This is our challenge , and this is our call as a New Creation of Precious Blood priests , brothers , Companions , volunteers , Amici — missionaries all — who are called to bridge the gaps and stand in the breach . As people who seek to draw all peoples near through the blood of Christ , we are , as in Paul ’ s letter to the Philippians , to “ put on the mind of Christ .” To put on a mind that seeks unity , not division ; that speaks truth without fear ; that lives faithfully the vision of new heavens and a new earth .
We are coming together to begin this New Creation because the spirituality of the Precious Blood and the charism of our founder calls us to re-imagine and rekindle our religious life to meet the signs of these times . It is not about the data of diminishment but the daring to be relevant in a nation and a world that cries out for reconciliation .
At the Cincinnati Provincial Assembly in May , there was great energy around this vision of a New Creation and more than a few questions . I trust there are many questions in our minds and hearts tonight as we begin our 41st Provincial Assembly and we hope to address them and raise even more during the next couple of days . But the one question that kept coming up was , “ What will be new about a new creation ?”
Part of my answer to that question is to renew our emphasis and underscore our commitment to a ministry of reconciliation . As Paul reminds us in his Second Letter to the Corinthians , echoing the vision of the prophet Isaiah we heard this evening , “ Whoever is in Christ is a new creation : the old things have passed away ; behold , new things have come . And all this is
8 • The New Wine Press • July 2018