The Power of the ORAL
In recent readings which have come across my path, there has been a focus on ‘The Power of the Oral.’
In the culture of our First Nations’, the oral story has always been the traditional way of sharing knowledge and learning. This is true of other cultures. At the same time, it may even be true in our family history. I am very fond of the story and the power of the story. I am fascinated when I sit amid my elders and contemporaries, listening to story.
Reading the Holy Scriptures, we encounter story at another level: story teaching about life. The most common example of this teaching is ‘the Sermon on the Mount,’ Matthew Ch. 5-7. Reading these words written down, we see an example of oral teaching that has stood the test of time. We can only imagine the scene and the impact the words of Jesus on that day (or it may have been over a period of days, like a retreat).
I say, ‘they have stood the test of time’ because of the way the 21st century reader is so deeply impacted. The person sharing this moment gives a sense of strength in their accuracy. One is quickly attracted, and captivated.
Just prior to COVID, I attended a workshop with ‘Around Town Tellers’ in Nanaimo. At the end of the workshop, they asked for volunteers to share a story. Guess ‘who’ volunteered?
The major component of the workshop was preparing to tell your story – without notes. This is their stance on notes: ‘Traditional Storytelling’ is an oral art form, as opposed to a written one. Notes are a barrier between the teller and the listener. Tellers are asked NOT to bring paper onto the stage. I am sure this was guided by the following ‘Scottish Traveler Proverb’ on their website: “The story is told eye to eye, mind to mind, and heart to heart.”
At the close of our Regional Meeting (on March 23rd), I asked those attending to think about ‘why church?’ and “why do we go to church?’ Further in my reading this week, I learned power in worship is to participate in the “oral” story shared. The second statistic is: ‘the oral story is retained longer than the written story.’ Third, listening ‘in community’ has greater value, and impact, than listening ‘alone at home.’
There is good reason for attending public worship in community!
Blessings,
Archdeacon Brian+
