In the movie The Sound of Music, Captain Georg von Trapp hosts a reception at his home for prominent members of Austrian society and state dignitaries, and at which he intends to introduce The Baroness Elsa von Schraeder as his fiancée. At bedtime, his seven children sing the song, So Long, Farewell. Some of

 them are resigned to their leave-taking, others try to put it off. And eldest daughter Liesel, asks if she might stay and taste her first champagne. But no, she may not; and in short order, as they sing, they all ascend the staircase toward their bedrooms. And woven into their individual sung responses are the words Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu, and Goodbye.

You know that in my sermons, I have sometimes explored how words have been translated and understood. What that means, is that while the New Revised Standard Version of the Christian scriptures might present a word from the Greek in one way; another translation, like the New Jerusalem Bible might present it in another way. For example, the Greek word “sarx” (in Romans 8:3) is translated as “flesh” in the NRSV, and as “human nature” in the NJB. And these two words can have significantly different meanings for each one of us. There are other words too, whose meaning we think we know, but may not.

The German auf wiedersehen is a common phrase used to say “goodbye” or “farewell” to someone. But the literal translation of the phrase is “until we see each other again,” which implies a hope or expectation of meeting again in the future.

The French adieu (also in the song) literally and simply means “to God.” It comes from the phrase “à dieu vous commant,” and means “I commend you to God.” The word was adopted into English in the 1300s, and was first recorded in Chaucer’s Troilus and Cressida. But Sound of Music composers Rodgers and Hammerstein must not have been students of word origins, because adieu is considered a definitive farewell, and is typically used when parting ways with someone for what is either perceived as a long time or possibly forever. It implies that you don’t expect to see the person again, either because of a permanent separation or because the situation suggests a final goodbye. And because (as far as I know) every one of those children made it down to breakfast the next morning, it would have been more accurate for Friedrich to have sung au revoir, which is more commonly used to say, “so long.” It literally means “to the seeing again.”

The phrase “God be with you” was commonly used as a farewell in the late Middle Ages and early modern English period. It expressed a wish for God’s protection and presence for those who were departing from each other. Over time, this phrase began to be contracted. In the 16th century, it was shortened to forms like “God b’w’ye” or “God bw’ye,” and eventually, it evolved into “goodbye” as the pronunciation and spelling further simplified.

Throughout literature and art, there are numerous examples of departures which at first seemed permanent; but in the end, turned out to be only temporary. For example, in The Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf falls into the abyss with the Balrog, leading the Fellowship to believe he is gone for good; but in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, he returns as Gandalf the White, surprising his friends. And in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle, the Pevensie siblings say what seems to be a final goodbye to Narnia after their adventures; but in the end, it’s revealed that they will live in an eternal Narnia.

I remember that even before I became a teenager, and my parents hosted parties at our home, when bedtime arrived, I also tried as hard as I could to delay the inevitable ––   leaving the party. I was afraid I’d miss out on something (like being grown up). Or tasting my first whiskey sour (like Liesel, I had to wait). But I sometimes attended the party surreptitiously, by sneaking partly down the stairs, just out of sight, and eavesdropping on the conversations.

And so I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for inviting me (during my thirteen years with Two Churches and my three years with Holy Trinity) into your conversations. For my time with you, as your preacher, teacher, and pastor; for trusting me with your confidences; and for sharing your stories and your hopes and your pains with me. And for letting me be vulnerable with you, forgiving the mistakes I’ve made, and helping me experience God’s grace.

And as I retire, I realize that I cannot avoid this new inevitability ––  of leaving the parties that are going on at Two Churches and Holy Trinity. Of letting go of the spiritual growth you’re experiencing, as you are fed by Word and at Table, and which enable you to serve as God’s hands in the world. That’s why I won’t say adieu, but au revoir and auf wiedersehen.

On September 29, I will preside, and the Rev. Canon Sunil Chandy will preach at both Two Churches and Holy Trinity. On October 1, I will begin my retirement (Joel’s retiring at the same time). And in order to honor diocesan and synod expectations, I will need to take three steps back from you for “a season;” but all of you are certain to remain in my heart. And I’ll welcome news when it comes (and may even eavesdrop at the top of the stairs) because I think I overheard someone say, “See you in Narnia!” I pray it’s soon, wherever it is. So, I say: Goodbye for now. God b’w’ye.

Rev. Mike