Climb Every Mountain

I often return to musical theatre to reflect on life and faith …the Wizard of Oz, Les Misérables, Hairspray, Lion King… Yesterday I touched on ‘The Gospel according to The Sound of Music’

Climb every mountain,
Search high and low,
Follow every byway,
Every path you know.

Climbing mountains is active. This year has reminded us of the difference between being an observer and a participant. Anyone can observe and criticise – sport, politics… in our papers, on Facebook…

This year we’ve appreciated those who have been actively involved in making our communities, our country, our world, a better place…

Climbing mountains is hard work. You can’t climb a mountain sitting on a sofa. It takes effort, determination, and trying alternative routes when previous attempts have been unsuccessful.

Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow,
‘Till you find your dream.

For Maria it was personal. It was her mountain, journey and dream. Mother Abbess says: ‘These walls were not built to shut out problems – you have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live.’ Maria had to work it out for herself.

My mountain is personal. I’m still climbing some 2020 mountains; there may well be fresh peaks in 2021. I can’t camp permanently at base camp; I can’t always get round my mountains. My mountains are for climbing.

A dream that will need
All the love you can give,
Every day of your life
For as long as you live.

My dream, my mountain isn’t just about my effort and determination. It is about the sort of person I am, the love I can give. Love necessarily involves others; mountain climbing is best done with a team of caring supportive friends who climb, or fall, together.

It’s a long term project, a life-long challenge. And it’s about climbing every mountain – not just those ones I like the look of.