Gradualism And The Barber Poem by gershon hepner

Gradualism is the method used
by God, while revolution is the devil’s,
but more exciting as we see when Seville’s
barber says “One at a time”. Amused
by him we all support the revolution,
which provides it seems, far bigger o-
penings to talent only Figaro
exploits with his non-gradual execution.

Inspired by a performance of Rossini’s “Barber of Seville” by Nathan Gunn which I saw on December 9, with Nathan Gunn singing the role of Figaro, and by an article in the WJS about the ordaining of gay bishops by the LA diocese of the Episcopal Church (“Pride and Prejudice in the Episcopal Church”) :

But if homosexuality is not a sure path to sin, there are other human qualities that are: self-righteousness, recklessness, pride most of all. I believe that the diocese of Los Angeles in guilty of all of these…. “Gradualism, ” wrote Victor Hugo in “Les Miserables, ” is the whole method of God” a courageous supporter of human rights, Hugo had lived through enough revolutionary turmoil to understand that even a good cause can be subverted by the roughshod methods used to achieve it. In this case, the question is not whether gays should be bishops, but whether their immediate promotion is worth tearing our communion apart. The Los Angeles diocese has essentially answered yes….I do not believe that justice provided a reason to rush. I believe it ws only the preening display of justice that valued the moral opinion of so many of our neighbors at nothing. It’s the right decision at the wrong time, which makes it the wrong decision. Gradualism is the whole method of God

12/10/09