Dispatches for the Colonial Office: "I Pray You, Remember the Porter"

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Lawrence Hall

“I Pray You, Remember the Porter”

-Macbeth II.ii.20-21

When I was a young husband and father

I served: on the parish council, taught CCD

Chaperoned bake sales, CYO, and youth trips

Eucharistic minister, lector, and greeter

(No one else could hand out a leaflet with such grace, such elegance, such panache!)

But with age, and one by one, I let them go

This morning I asked to be recused at last

From thirty years on the lector duty list

“God’s benison go with you…”

As lector

I lost confidence in sorting out the new ways of doing things

Of being where I’m supposed to be

And moving when I’m supposed to do so

And moving where I’m supposed to do so

Carrying the lectionary without dropping it

Mounting the Altar steps without tripping

Standing in one place for more than a few minutes

Seeing the words clearly (why is the print so small?)

Wreathing the verbs without thripping over my thongue

But I’m still a greeter – I can open the door

‘Tis my appointed skill level, but ‘tis one

As Macduff did not say

No leaflets, though; that stuff’s now on the InterGossip

I smile and open the door, admire babies, help with coats

Show visitors the way to the euphemism

Tell the kids how tall they’ve grown

(You’re a senior!? Why, I remember when…)

And it’s okay.

I am blessed with honor, love, and troops of friends

(as Macbeth could not say)

Honor, love, and troops of friends

All good.

Deo gratias

Dispatches for the Colonial Office