CALL THE MIDWIFE (BBC). Over 10 seasons Steph and I have been deeply moved by this magnificent portrait of every human story. How could it be otherwise? Midwives are educated on the developmental stages of a human person from his beginning, and have hearts to lovingly journey with moms and dads through every conceivable circumstance to see him born. Each episode ended with the great crescendo of birth. Revelation of the unique child made in the likeness and image of God. Who had been there nine months. Worthy of our sacrifice. Worthy of life. Worthy of our love.
HERE'S THE KEY: Worthy regardless of our recognition of that worth.
SO DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED with latest episode (S10, E6). The setting is Britain 1966, with consideration of the Abortion Reform Billl. Interspersed with the typical beautiful portraits of self-sacrificing, accompanying love for the good of baby and parents, we're given the worst-case scenario story of a mother with four children whose husband lost his job and is abusing her; she gets an infection from trying to self-abort.
Apparently abusive situations merit our becoming complicit in the abuse. Ultimate abuse. Painted as compassion. How does that work?
GRAVITATING AROUND an impassioned letter penned to the local paper by one of the lead midwives, every single character caves. The doctor and his nurse wife. Every lay midwife. Even accepting complicity of the nun midwives. In 1966. Abortion advocated without the slightest mention of the child growing within her.
HEIDI THOMAS, you are otherwise an absolutely thoughtful, fabulous writer. With otherwise great attunement to difficult human experience. After 10 seasons, what within you caused you to so summarily allow authentic humanity -- kindness, compassion, self-sacrificing, loving accompaniment -- to be so jaded and aborted? Why did you allow it?
HOW APPROPRIATE on this very day in the Church cycle we hear Jesus proclaim:
“There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness
will be heard in the light,
and what you have whispered
behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops.
I tell you, my friends,
do not be afraid of those who kill the body
but after that can do no more.
I shall show you whom to fear.
Be afraid of the one who after killing
has the power to cast into Gehenna;
yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one."
(Luke 12:4-5)
LORD JESUS CHRIST, rehabilitate our hearts. And raise up excellent, story-telling artists who will connect with the full range of our humanity and be Your Hand forging us more fully for our nature and mission in You!
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