Matthew under the arm 3
Perhaps it may seem a little harsh to begin with mentioning the early morning! Yes, I am aware that the words 'metabolism', 'lifestyle and 'habit' are relevant here. Experience shows that human consciousness in the early morning is at its most receptive. The wisdom of the mystics and the way of devotion in all religious cultures, speak of that time being the best for meditation.... Well, that makes sense. When the issues and tensions of the day begin to make themselves felt, attention in meditation is much harder. Perhaps rather than speak of the early morning, it might be more helpful to speak of 'first thing in the morning', whenever that first for you happens to be....
So make yourself your coffee, or in the Spirit of Following Columba, get your Thermos out and sit by the path and read the passage.... Then.... pray....
Matthew 2:1-12
So make yourself your coffee, or in the Spirit of Following Columba, get your Thermos out and sit by the path and read the passage.... Then.... pray....
Matthew 2:1-12
Francis of Assisi portrayed the child Jesus with his arms stretched out on his Mother’s lap – the 'eternity' of the Cross. The Christ-child was known already by some as the King of the Jews and, as such, a threat to the powerful. Christ puts a question mark over all temporal power, that has also individual implications. The power of Christ the King is discovered where justice and well-being has been denied people. He is to be found among the deprived in whatever form. The wise men visited this poverty and brought their priceless gifts. Looking for the suffering Christ among the alienated is wisdom. Bringing our gift is the demand of the Love of God.
Christ the King, let me find You in the small and vulnerable and bring my gift
It is essential that commitment to prayer is given priority because that is how unity with the Holy Spirit is perceived and experienced. The wisdom to see Christ in the alienated comes from prayer. Without it, union with God is a theory, an idea. The difficulty is that the small and vulnerable are easily missed. More often, they are ignored. Busy-ness and pre-occupation are stilled by entering deeply into prayer. Allow yourself to ‘look at’ the Christ-child. Let the imagination run free. Then look at where you see this fragility in your day. The gift you have may not amount to much in your eyes. It may, for the vulnerable, be life-giving.
Christ the King, let me find You in the small and vulnerable and bring my gift
It is essential that commitment to prayer is given priority because that is how unity with the Holy Spirit is perceived and experienced. The wisdom to see Christ in the alienated comes from prayer. Without it, union with God is a theory, an idea. The difficulty is that the small and vulnerable are easily missed. More often, they are ignored. Busy-ness and pre-occupation are stilled by entering deeply into prayer. Allow yourself to ‘look at’ the Christ-child. Let the imagination run free. Then look at where you see this fragility in your day. The gift you have may not amount to much in your eyes. It may, for the vulnerable, be life-giving.
+Martin
Argyll and The Isles.
posted by Martin at 5:15 pm
4 Comments:
Martin, you may feel that no-one is here because we don't comment. There is no comment to make, however, other than to say "thank you".
Not only 'a threat to the powerful' or 'a question mark over temporal power'but a real limiting force greater than any.That is Christ on the Cross. A solice in this world where even the church has been tainted because it has ceased to believe 2 Timothy 3 v 16 and turned to the wisdom of men starting with Genesis.
now this IS keeping it simple and effective. I agree with Chris - we are there and we will make comment when moved to do so - but thank you for letting us see Mtthew parterfully
zak
Matthew prayerfully!
Post a Comment
<< Home