Matthew under the arm 79
[Sorry! I have been away again... I need to learn how to do these blog postings on my little PDA]
About three o'clock, this afternoon - and I will never forget this - Columba and I were meandering along a path that eventually led into some trees. The trees were huge and closely packed together. The result was that the light was dim. Coming towards us was a group of about 6 or 7 people who were walking slowly. In fact, they were exhausted. Among them was a young man in his early thirties, I would guess. He had his head raised high. His arms were around the shoulders of a young couple carrying two tiny babies. Columba asked the young man about the group. He told him that the family had been ejected from their house in a nearby village. he was taking them to find some food and some shelter. I said that the next village was at least 15 miles away. Columba said nothing, but helped the young man to create a shelter with branches. Together, we managed to make a make-shift shelter for the family who were distraught. The young man and Columba began to talk together. I couldn't help noticing that there was a distinct aura around the young man. 'Well,' said Columba a little later,' There always is around someone who acts out of love and compassion. You only have to look and then roll up your sleeves.'
Matthew 17:1-8….
Like all experiences of intimacy, what is actually happening in this passage is beyond analysis. Like all mysteries, all that remains is to delight in it. The prime Hebrew Scriptures characters, Jesus’ dazzling appearance…. All on a high mountain. Peter’s shelters are like the tents in the desert lands that were set up to shelter the sacredness of the God-given Law, the presence of God. It is as if in this one bewildering passage, the whole of the biblical mystery of God’s presence is recollected. The gospels were written in the light of the followers of Christ’s experience of his resurrection. Jesus Christ is the present sacredness of God.
That your whole self may delight in My Presence going before all you are and do
Transfiguration is what you are about. That’s the task…to bring God’s transfiguring hope to places of darkness and despair. To enter into that mystery deep within you, imagine that you have climbed a mountain – one you know, one you imagine. Who is there with you to enjoy this moment: your most intimate friends? Just let your imagination go! ‘See’ Christ in front of you… Even if its ridiculous, what would you like to do…? Nothing much may come to you, if anything. Whether it does or not, use the sentence, simply to be there.
+Martin
Argyll and The Isles
About three o'clock, this afternoon - and I will never forget this - Columba and I were meandering along a path that eventually led into some trees. The trees were huge and closely packed together. The result was that the light was dim. Coming towards us was a group of about 6 or 7 people who were walking slowly. In fact, they were exhausted. Among them was a young man in his early thirties, I would guess. He had his head raised high. His arms were around the shoulders of a young couple carrying two tiny babies. Columba asked the young man about the group. He told him that the family had been ejected from their house in a nearby village. he was taking them to find some food and some shelter. I said that the next village was at least 15 miles away. Columba said nothing, but helped the young man to create a shelter with branches. Together, we managed to make a make-shift shelter for the family who were distraught. The young man and Columba began to talk together. I couldn't help noticing that there was a distinct aura around the young man. 'Well,' said Columba a little later,' There always is around someone who acts out of love and compassion. You only have to look and then roll up your sleeves.'
Matthew 17:1-8….
Like all experiences of intimacy, what is actually happening in this passage is beyond analysis. Like all mysteries, all that remains is to delight in it. The prime Hebrew Scriptures characters, Jesus’ dazzling appearance…. All on a high mountain. Peter’s shelters are like the tents in the desert lands that were set up to shelter the sacredness of the God-given Law, the presence of God. It is as if in this one bewildering passage, the whole of the biblical mystery of God’s presence is recollected. The gospels were written in the light of the followers of Christ’s experience of his resurrection. Jesus Christ is the present sacredness of God.
That your whole self may delight in My Presence going before all you are and do
Transfiguration is what you are about. That’s the task…to bring God’s transfiguring hope to places of darkness and despair. To enter into that mystery deep within you, imagine that you have climbed a mountain – one you know, one you imagine. Who is there with you to enjoy this moment: your most intimate friends? Just let your imagination go! ‘See’ Christ in front of you… Even if its ridiculous, what would you like to do…? Nothing much may come to you, if anything. Whether it does or not, use the sentence, simply to be there.
+Martin
Argyll and The Isles
Labels: Transfiguration
posted by Martin at 2:21 pm
2 Comments:
I'm sure Columba would say something about the PDA - probably tell you to chuck it in the ditch!
(But don't - please don't)
:-)
missed you and Columba - great to have you back -
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