Last night we went to Norwich to watch ‘Operation Mincemeat’ – a stage show that tells the true story of a complicated but successful second world war operation that disguised the 1943 allied invasion of Sicily. It started with a plan being devised by MI5 in London…
Sometimes the isolated stories or writings in the Bible can seem complex and hide what’s actually happening. Sometimes it’s necessary to stand back and see the overarching plan that will lead to a final good ending… It could be called ‘Operation Jesus’.
MI5 gave Glyndwr Michael, a homeless Welshman who died after consuming rat poison in London, the invented persona of Major William Martin. A British submarine released his body into the sea off the Spanish coast, together with identification documents, personality and background papers and ‘secret’ but false plans of the allied forces.
This morning I read from Matthew’s gospel of the Jesus death. A homeless and apparently insignificant Jew dies. His identity is disputed… His body is released to be buried… It’s part of this big, crazy ‘Operation Jesus’ plan that seems like a disappointing failure.
Major Martin’s body was recovered by the Spanish authorities, the ‘secret’ documents carried on his body were opened and passed via Nazi sympathizers to German intelligence officers. The Operation Mincemeat deception was successful. Sicily was invaded and captured by the allied troops – a significant event in the war’s final outcome.
Death is followed by resurrection. From death there’s life, from apparent defeat there’s victory, from despair there’s hope. From the Operation Jesus plan that seemed unclear, crazy and impossible, there emerged success, victory and a happy ending that’s affected millions.
It was good to hear and discover the significant importance of Operation Mincemeat for the first time last night. It’s good to hear – even yesterday – of friends and family who discover the importance of Operation Jesus. Sometimes for the first time, sometimes through their life’s craziness, they discover hope, transformation and life.
