Matthew under the arm 64

Outside the little village last night, we came across a generous old man, who offered us some mattresses on his floor to sleep. As we made our way into the little house, there were 2 other pilgrim who were resting on the floor and playing with their dice. The air was acrid with stale sweat, not to mention the rather colourful language. Columba couldn't help giggling at the dodgy jokes, which sort of gave me permission to join in the fun. When the two realised we were their listening to them, their mood changed. They obviously had no intention of creating space for us to lie down. 'We got here first. Go somewhere else. There isn't room'. 'It's raining!' I said considerably miffed. 'So?', was the lazy and careless answer. Columba said nothing and simply moved their gear over the floor a little to create space for us. One of the men stood up and grabbed Columba and his gear and through him out. Then it was my turn. Outside with the door slammed, Columba knocked. One of the men came to the door ready to punch Columba. 'Have this', said Columba. He gave the angry man his apple! Guess what the man did with that!


Matthew 13:53-58....
Possession is again portrayed as an inhibition in this passage. Relatives are often spoken of as if they were possessions: 'my'... 'our' etc. This becomes disabling because we are no longer simply persons in our right. Christ is inhibited by us if we 'possess' him - as if he is the sole property of Christians; the Church. In fact, from His birth onwards Christ, if he is the possession of anyone, then he is only so for the outsiders. And outsiders, by definition have few if any possessions. To be truly honoured, respected we must be let free to be ourselves.

That you may bring My Freedom and My Light out of My Loving within you


Even when you have attained a disciplined spiritual life, it is hard to resist possessiveness: my prayer; my heart; my feelings... and they are not yours... they are within you certainly. The Spirit of Christ is gift within you, not 'yours'. We belong to God... that is where ownership begins and ends. Ask yourself who you own.... what you own.... or what you would like to own. Are there ways in which your ownership has inhibited love and freedom? Use the sentence to reset where belonging really lies.

+Martin
Argyll and The Isles