Daily Word of Grace # 222 (April 19, 2021)
Shakespeare’s classic play A Midsummer Night’s Dream concludes with this monologue from the sprite Puck (aka Robin Goodfellow): “If we shadows have offended, Think but this—and all is mended—That you have but slumber’d here while these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme, no more yielding but a dream. Gentles, do not reprehend; If you pardon, we will mend. And, as I’m an honest Puck, If we have unearned luck, Now to ‘scape the serpent’s tongue, we will make amends ere long; Else the Puck a liar call: So, good night unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends.” You and I have “offended” God and other people in countless ways, and yet God still sent his Son Jesus Christ to atone for all our sins—to “pardon” us so that indeed “we will mend” both with God and one another, to ensure that we “‘scape the serpent’s (devil’s) tongue” and to awaken us from the sleep of death to everlasting life. Moreover, this means that even now Puck’s words to the audience are the Risen Christ’s words to you, “Give me your hands, if we be friends, And (I) shall restore amends.”
Love and Prayers,
Dave