Matthew under the arm 48

I was on my own for a whole day. Great. I could relax and not think too much about Columba. However, when I walked passed a group of houses, I could see a commotion outside a farm. A neighbour had complained that his fence didn't really mark the true extent of his land. He wanted the lawyers to fight his cause. The neighbours almost came to blows. Columba strode threw the middle of the argument and, without saying a word, ushered the neighbours to follow him. He got to the disputed fence and lay down on the ground and closed his eyes.'What are you doing?', said one farmer. 'Stop wasting my time!' said the other. Columba opened one eye and said, 'I'll lie here until you realise that this land belongs to neither of you'. Hours passed. The neighbours waited and waited. Columba stood up and said, 'Come with me on my pilgrimage and I'll teach you how to pray for each other'. They didn't, of course. But when they both returned home, they prepared themselves for bed and realised how stupid they were. The dispute is over. Who got the best out of it? Does it matter? The neighbouring farmers met the following day. There was no argument but they wondered who the stranger was.


Matthew 12.1-8....
The dynamic that lies at the basis of religion is the inspiring life of a prophet or an event that galvanises community. It is not an institution or a system. Inevitably once people gather round the dynamic, and a system is developed to manage the dynamic. The difficulty comes when the management becomes so controlling that the institution is confused with the dynamic. This passage illuastrates that tendency clearly. Spirituality is about staying in touch with the dynamic, using institutions and systems where they are useful and flexible asa is the way of dynamic.

In Your Wisdom and Truth, I would grow in awareness of Your Presence.

The Gospel's sense of 'Love' is always in the direction of love of 'the other'.When love of 'the other' happens, there is an experience of the presence of the Christ. So when silence and prayer are disciplined, then you are directed by the Love of God from your inner life to 'the other'. Christian meditation is about moving inwards in order to move outwards for 'the other'. What really matters is the longing that comes from your meditation. That is why it is important to meditate no matter what you may be feeling like. Concentrate on this sentence. Do not repeat the sentence until you are focused on every word. Then allow God to love others through your longing for God.

+Martin
Argyll and The Isles