10-09-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
October 9, 2025
This week is the 40th anniversary of “Les Misérables,” the powerful and breathtaking musical. It premiered at London’s Barbican Theater, but it was not well received by the critics. In fact, one newspaper called it a “glum opera,” something more suited to the Victorian era. Another writer referred to it as nothing more than “cheap sentiment.” As those painful reviews were being read, the producer needed to make the decision on whether to put down the deposit to continue with the performances. If they didn’t, the musical would only have a few more weeks and then disappear. Despite what the critics said, they took the leap, and mostly by word of mouth, the Barbican Theater had to expand its box office team to field all the phone calls from theatergoers seeking tickets. Today, nearly 16,000 performances of Les Misérables have seen the stage in London alone. It has been translated into 22 languages and performed in 53 countries. With that in mind, ponder for a moment—what would have occurred had they allowed the critics to define the future of the story? That’s probably a good question to ask ourselves. Or maybe a modified version would be: Will I allow my critics to define the future of my story?

O God of the Jesus story, you continue to write another act, another chapter, even when others have tried to convince me how my story has ended. This sacred narrative that is my life will take many unexpected turns, but I trust you to be there in every moment, taking each step with me. Thank you! Amen.