Matthew under the arm 73

(For those of you who have just come across this blog, this is a 'pilgrimage' I am making with St Columba, the great early saint of Christinaity in these islands. The destination will reveal itself! Each blog posting has a story of the pilgrimage that relates to the Gospel passage. The piolgrimage involves walking with Matthew's Gospel ... 'under the arm.)

Today, at about noon, I was so hungry! I had travelled with Columba for two days without provisions. Given the weather, water was not a problem! Beside the road was a rather run-down farm. So I knocked on the door and asked if the old man had any spare bread and vegetables to sell. His toothless smile was wonderful! He summoned us in to share his table, which of course, didn't amount to much. When he put a plate of soup in front of us, I couldn't help wondering about the contents! He held his hands up for some silence. Columba frowned at me for looking so critical. The old man simply said: 'God. Jesus. Spirit. These two pilgrims... gifts for the end of my days. Thank you.' A table in the wilderness indeed! Eucharisting...thanking indeed!


Matthew 15:32-39....
This story might be a repetition of the previous feeding story. However, it may be Matthew's intention to be insistent on the constant importance of feeding in Jesus' work.... hospitality in an inhospitable place. Again Jesus is available where convenience is not considered. This demands a simplicity of life-style in order to be thus available. There is a different 'take' on the first story's 'blessing' of the food. Here Jesus ‘gives thanks’. Despite the adverse circumstances, Jesus' blessing is deepened by thanksgiving. We are summoned to make sure that thanksgiving receives priority in all places. That is the inspiration, of course, of the Eucharist...Blessing, breaking, giving thanks and giving... The fundamentals for those who follow Christ that we may be the presence of Christ.

I would find Your Presence in all things, and so give thanks.

In the busiest time of this day, pray briefly and intensely that you may find God in the most crowded moment...in the detail of your day. Then, in your journal note down what you experienced as a result of that intention. It is essential to have the habit of silent contemplative prayer that your 'spiritual antennae' maybe awake to find God. So enter into this sentence with expectation and imagine you were establishing the skill of a bird-watcher...!

+Martin
Argyll and The Isles