Matthew under the arm 80

Columba was holding a mug of some kind in his hands as we were taking a mid-morning break. The early morning climb up the path to the ridge overlooking the next valley was a stiff one indeed! To begin with, I thought he was simply out of breath: his mouth sucking in air from the exercise. As I drew closer, I realised he was moving his lips as if whispering prayers. When I asked him afterwards what he was saying, he replied as if it was obvious, 'Well, I am just reciting the Elijah story in the Book of Kings.' I was staggered. He knew the whole collection of Elijah stories and sayings by heart. 'John the Baptist knew them and lived them,' said Columba rather sharply. 'Knowing scripture by heart means what it says....the Word in the heart...then you become the Word.... Christ in you...yes even you!...The Hope of Glory.' He smiled cheekily and as he stood, slapped me on the back: 'On we go and remember Christ knew scripture by heart. So he was able to use it prayerfully and passionately at the moments of rejection'. Columba continued to whisper! Praying and knowing scripture by heart, eh? Mmmm!



Matthew 7:9-13….
It is important to remember that in ancient times, human personality was not so individualised as it is in our own. No one is entirely sure what are the actual words of Jesus in the Gospels. So, the ‘words of Jesus’ represent his continuing presence in the lives of those who follow him. The Word. Likewise, John the Baptist is the continuance of Elijah’s uncomfortable warning about faithfulness to God rather than the idolatry of human power and acquisitiveness. John ('whose shoes I am unworthy to tie') is the prophetic warning of God. Jesus is the anointed suffering of God. Both pointing to God’s utter emptying of himself out of love.


I would be aware of Your Presence in those who point to Your Love





The central task of spirituality is that you are the Presence of God for the service of others and to draw attention to the causes of suffering among those who are alienated from love and human well-being. Silence, contemplation, reflection on a disciplined basis is the source of these two aspects of spirituality. So before you pray with this passage look at the story of Elijah in 1 Kings and again at the story of John the Baptist in earlier chapters of this Gospel. Take the atmospheres into your use of the sentence.

+Martin
Argyll and The Isles