Ernest Hemingway was known for brevity in his writing. Legend has it he once wrote a short story on a napkin—to settle a bar bet.
In my imagination, he is at a bar in Cuba, maybe one of his favorite haunts in Old Havana, perhaps Floradita or La Bodeguita. There, he is challenged to write a compelling story so brief it will fit on a napkin, one of those small square ones that litter bar tops everywhere.
After a brief reflection, he pens: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”
Poignant; heartbreaking.
We likely share similar floods of thoughts and images when we read that story. We know about baby shoes. We understand what he means by “for sale.” And we can easily guess the kind of events that lead to “never worn.” We share an understanding of those things.
I first came across Hemingway’s six-word story in the wonderful book Not Quite What I Was Planning. It’s a collection of six-word memoirs that Smith Magazine gathered from people all across the globe.
These super-short summaries include the humorous ("Catholic girl. Jersey. It's all true.”), comedian Tracey Morgan's self-description ("At the end of normal street."), and Janelle Brown's confession ("My second grade teacher was right."). There are commentaries on life ("It's like forever, only much shorter.") and on life’s absurdities ("Time to start over again, again."). There’s bathos ("We were our own Springer episode.") and pathos ("I still make coffee for two.").
Some of this week's Advent scriptures could become memorable six-word distillations. Here are my attempts: "Sowed in tears, reaped with joy." (Psalm 126), and "Gave a garland instead of ashes.” (Isaiah 61). Also, “Gives thanks in all circumstances; still.” (1 Thessalonians), and "Came to testify to the light.” (John 1). Finally, "My spirit rejoices; God my savior," and "Filled the hungry with good things." (Luke 1).
This week, Advent is about declaration: proclaiming, to all who will hear, the imminent arrival of the Messiah, the Christ, the “light.” The reason we can proclaim the immediacy of a savior who has come and is coming again is because we know that deep inside of all humankind is the same expectation.
It is our shared understanding—just waiting to hear that good news.
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PHOTO (Statue of Hemingway at Floridita):
Hemingway in Havana:
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Friday mornings are a special time for DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. We gather on Zoom* and in person at Our Breakfast Place for a time of prayer and discussion. Meet with us at 8:00 for all of that, plus some good food and laughter.
Blessings,
Steve
**Contact me for the Zoom link
NOTE: Zoom allows you to mute the camera and the microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard.
SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK
Find them here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=50
Print them from here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/pdf//Bx_ThirdSundayofAdvent.pdf
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
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