Matthew under the arm 92

In the middle of some low trees, swept in one direction by the prevailing wind, was a small building with children chasing hens and being shouted at by a fearsome looking woman. This was a remote village which few pilgrims frequented. Some old folks were gathered round the children as they played. Columba had stopped about 100 yards back. He was crouched down and organising stones on the ground. Eventually, the children noticed and came to watch. ‘Don’t just watch!’ said Columba. ‘Go and get some more stones - and not too small.’ Before long a huge mound grew. Columba said nothing more. But we all could see that there on the ground he was outlining a huge bird. The adults muttered, but the children made the assumption about what kind of bird Columba was creating. They kept asking him, but he didn’t reply. Eventually, Columba stopped and watched the children complete the bird – a dove. One child asked, ‘Is that what you wanted?’ ‘What I wanted?’…… As dusk fell, Columba summoned me to move on. ‘I hope the priest was there,’ said Columba. ‘That’s how worship happens.’



Matthew 19:13-15….
To bring anyone to Jesus is a common activity in the Gospels. The disciples behave almost like personal assistants, even bodyguards – there to protect their ‘VIP’ Jesus’ time and space. Jesus, however, wants to be left with the children alone – without the intrusion of protective adults and their own needs. So he expects them to let go and trust in the way children do themselves. By being with children alone, Jesus can see through adults’ and children’s manipulative behaviour. Acceptance can flower through the simplicity of touch: marks of the Kingdom, that is dawning.


Let the simplicity of stillness and silence, open you to the touch of My Love.



Enter into the silence in the attitude of gentle noticing – your physical sensations, thoughts and feelings. Notice them and let them go. Give a little time to be aware of your breathing: the ‘in’ breath for stillness and silence – the ‘out’ breath for letting go… In a sense, you are being like a child… Allow yourself to be brought to Jesus and to be touched by Him. Who would you bring to Jesus? Imagine the process and that you are being asked by Jesus to leave that person alone with Him.

+Martin
Argyll and The Isles

Matthew under the arm 91

Someone was sitting beside the road resting from the pilgrimage playing a small stringed instrument, rather like a mandolin. What struck me most was not so much his playing which had a poise and gentleness to it, but it was how he prepared. He made sure that he was sitting on the stone wall as still and yet as supple as he could be, before playing. When he finished he didn't look up for appreciation or admiration. He allowed the silence to carry the music through the silence and, as it were, beyond himself. There were about five or six of us spell-bound and in stillness and silence ourselves. After a while, Columba approached me and whispered in my ear: 'Silent music...'


Matthew 19:10-12….
Jesus is not calling for heroism. Christianity has its heroes, but it is not heroism, being dependent on the Grace of God. Faith costs not less than everything. Who can do that? Marriage that is dedicated to loyalty can be heroic, but when it is a sign of the relationship between God and humanity, that is a gift. Jesus sees celibacy as an attitude of single-heartedness: an active sign, a sacrament of the coming Kingdom - availability for sacrificial service. That disciplined single-heartedness is not so much an attitude towards God, but from God to others, including those we love. Our love of anyone can be single-hearted by Grace. Celibacy and single-heartedness are indeed vocations...!

Let My Light and Truth dwell in your heart and in your actions


Single-heartedness comes from a disciplined practice of meditation and, of course, your life-style choices. The simpler the time of meditation is the better. Always begin with physical stillness and noticing your breathing. Refresh your memory of meditative practice from your own study, experience or indeed get in touch with me, if you would like some help. By an increased disciplined approach to single-heartedness in your meditation, then you don’t need a project for your following of Christ. It will happen almost as a habit from the heart of you, which has been trained and gifted in meditation.

+Martin
Argyll and The Isles

Matthew under the arm 90

For the last month of the pilgrimage, I have come across a couple in their fifties who have been near us from time to time as we walked, but Columba and I have never engaged them in conversation. Sometimes they would walk hand in hand and sometimes they would be seen walking separately. They didn't appear to converse much with each other. Just this morning as we stopped for something hot to drink in the village, they came to join us. Columba asked if they were related. 'We are....friends'. 'But you don't seem to say much to each other.' They looked at each other and smiled, as if a whole encyclopaedia was being exchanged between them. 'Love..?' Columba sheepishly enquired. They smiled again. 'Our friendship only exists through love', the man replied. 'And how do you love like that?', I asked rather enviously. 'They looked again at each other... 'Practicing, I suppose', the woman added. 'Practicing what?' Columba asked. 'In our case....? Marriage maybe... No longer any need to define or establish...'

Matthew 19:1-9….
The journey towards to Jerusalem would mark Jesus death, but that death for the early Christian Church was the proximate ‘day’ of the end of all things and the beginning of the new. So not surprisingly, there is an uncompromising tone to this passage. When people know their death is coming, they want to sort out their lives, including their relationships. Matthew not only points towards Jesus death, but the necessary death of all things as a preparation for the Kingdom. So Matthew’s readers are summoned to waken up and sort out difficult and negative relationships. All relationships, no matter how insignificant, have an affect on us and others.

Let me realise Your Love in my service of those You have given me


These verses are not primarily about control and sex. The word ‘adultery’ has a condemnatory feel. That’s not the point, it seems to me. Truth and simplicity are the marks of a lifestyle that is geared towards the Kingdom of God. The committed Christian in the early years had his or her bag packed ready. Nor is this exercise about guilt. The sentence is about creative loving service practiced in truth. What relationships help you to enter something of that dynamic? What relationships are in danger of distracting you from it. In marriage or friendship, in what ways do you compromise truth and commitment within it? It may perhaps.... be less destructive disengaging from a relationship than sticking with it out of the 'muscular' attempt to be 'stick with it'. Christ’s presence recognises and even rejoices in the admission of brokenness.

+Martin
Argyll and The Isles

Matthew under the arm 89

I grumbled to Columba as we sat with our meal in the inn. He had been very cool towards me all day. It's true that the wind was against us for most of the afternoon. Sheepishly I said to him, 'You look ... angry with me.' Anger, he pointed out, is fear expressed in a particular way. 'I heard you speaking disparagingly to someone about how fed up you get with me sometimes.' 'So you feel betrayed by my moaning'. 'Well, yes I do', he said calmly.... Silence prevailed, but a recognition and a courage grew.... Columba smiled again. Two over-sensitive pilgrims. Yes, even Columba.

Matthew 18:23-35….
The early Christian communities had a sense of urgency. Time was short because political circumstances and God’s ‘role’ perceived 'role' in history spelt a drawing together (a judgement) of all things. The Kingdom of God 'breaking in', demanded an ethical life according to the standards of Christ based on a truly awake spirituality. This parable sees the attitude of forgiveness as fundamental, because that is who God is. Not to forgive, no matter how difficult, is to deny God.


Be awake to My Healing Forgiveness within you and practice that gift among others


Be attentive to one person in your imagination about whom you feel resentful. That person perhaps ‘owes’ you something… even an apology, in your view, for the way you have been treated. Allow these feelings to come to the fore in you. Be there with her or him in the presence of Christ as you use this sentence. Then after the silence…What can you do to show that you are keen to restore relationships? Don’t appease, but keep the possibility of communication open. It maybe there is nothing you can do. Allowing the stillness of meditation to heal your resentment, nevertheless, is vitally important.

+Martin
Argyll and The Isles

Matthew under the arm 88

Early this morning, at Columba's insistence (!), I met him by the fountain in the middle of the village. Two others came to join: a woman, I would guess in her fifties who lived in the village and by the look of her, not at all well off. The other was a young man whom we met on the pilgrimage yesterday. He was on his way back! Columba had obviously met them and asked them to come to this little group. I was so cold in the early 5.30am light. However, it was so still, except for the attractive percussive sound of the breeze among the sycamore trees. The young man started by asking for silence. The woman then spoke of her prayer life. Just once I interrupted before Columba put his finger to his lips. She was speaking of feeling physically restless in her prayer. I spoke of my restlessness. Columba simply said to me: 'Listen to Christ in this person.' Then we were silent as each spoke, including me in my turn.... Wonderful moment of gentleness, truth and simplicity! We never saw the man and the woman again. What did Columba share? He spoke of moments of deep anxiety in his prayer. Yes, Columba!


Matthew 18:19-22….
There is a key assumption behind Jesus insight into the essential practice of prayer. If two or three people give time to reflecting on their common circumstances, in each person confidence and perspective is deepened in praying, in ‘begging’ to perceive God’s loving presence in all things. It is out of this practice that forgiveness comes, not so much as a project but as natural response to the love given and received in the group. Because of the support and the inner depth gained by the sustenance that comes from others praying with us, the ‘impossibility of forgiveness’ (70 times 7!) is not the issue. So prayer and forgiveness are the basic practices of small but open groups of Christians. One is the essential resource; the other is the outcome of the way we are in Christ.


That My Prayer within you may be deepened in friendship and practiced in reconciliation


This sentence is best used if it is possible for you to be with a small group (no more than 3 or 4) of those who wish to deepen their praying. It is important to limit the time for the group so that you focus on the task of praying, as distinct from a social gathering. Begin with silence and stillness and help each other with it by radiating your desire for deeper prayer to each other. Then listen carefully, without comment or debate, to the concerns of each person in the group for themselves and others. It’s vitally important not to discuss anyone’s circumstances that are not in the group. Remember the direction of the group is towards the work of reconciliation. Then enter the silence again with depth and expectation.


+Martin
Argyll and The Isles

Matthew under the arm 87

Achilles' tendon problems! So that's us for three days at least. Columba moaned and groaned last night as we arrived at our lodgings. Saints sulk, you know. (Thank God!) But...this morning...he was sitting down in the lobby of this rather smelly house. He was having an animated discussion which helped him forget his pains. A group of teenage boys had come into the village who looked strange and spoke a strange and unrecognisable language. "Mumblers!", is how one man described them. These 'mumblers' wore shabby clothes and stank to high heavens seemingly. In fact, the teenagers were severely hard of hearing. "With all the other smelly pilgrims around", said someone else, "These 'mumblers' are unwelcome". Columba staggered to his feet to look out the window. We were all curious. There, passing the window were the 'mumblers'. "Let's chase them out', said a rough voice. Columba rushed out to join the 'mumblers'. Those inside the lodging shouted at Columba: "What're you doing?" "Mumbling", he replied. 'Oh...and we're listening to each other!'


Matthew 18:15-18....
There is a presence that lies underneath what Jesus is saying. The 'wrong' here implies harm done to the community. Personal ethics are important not for the development of the individual, but for the benefit of the community in which we are set. Some ethical assumptions may need to be challenged and changed within the community. The emergence of the Kingdom may be about painful transformation but not about harming. The distinction is not always clear. Out of fear, we are inclined not to challenge the 'closed system' of some community norms. (Including the Christian church!) The 'Gospel' demand is to have the truthfulness and courage to challenge those within the community who have harmed, undermined its well-being by their self-absorbed activities, self-protectiveness and attitudes based on 'being right'.

May Your Wisdom and Truth lie at the heart of the communities of which I am a part.


First, through a gentle review of yourself, become aware of someone who has had the courage to make you aware of negative attitudes. Recollect the story, the feelings and the consequences. Only by that awareness can you, with detachment, have the gentleness and strength to approach others, concerning their attitudes, through listening and reflection with them. Imagine Jesus with you as you consider prayerfully cirucmstances of conflict in which you may be currently. Be still and use the sentence constantly throughout this reflection.

+Martin
Argyll and The Isles

Matthew under the arm 86

Between his feet, he was making marks on the dust on the path. We had stopped for a drink of water and an apple. I looked closer and it seemed as if there were about 50 or 60 marks he had made on the ground. 'What are they for? Some game?' Columba turned and smiled. (So irritating!) 'Close your eyes. I need your help.' So I did. He then gently and quietly went through names of people carefully. 'Just have the name resonating in your heart as I say them. Radiate love in Christ through the name!' When he had finished, I opened my eyes and Columba had crossed out all the marks. 'Who were they?' 'The people we have met on the pilgrimage, of course.' 'And you remembered all of them?' 'Well, perhaps I got one or two of them wrong.... But no matter, as I crossed out the marks on the dust, you prayed with your eyes closed. Thank you!' I frowned. He dug me in the ribs with his elbow. 'Come on or we'll be late.'


Matthew 18:12-14….
If I lose something precious, its importance is in how it reflects on the image of myself. Losing something often means I have lost control over that image. So the rejoicing of the shepherd is about the interior relief and not so much about the sheep itself. That’s not as self-absorbed as it might appear. The point is the lost sheep has become very much part of the identity of the shepherd. If it wasn’t, he possibly wouldn’t care as much. This passage is about Jesus’ identity, which is entirely wrapped up in others – particularly the vulnerable.

Let your personality be infused with My Life in your service of the vulnerable


When praying for those you know who are fragile for any reason, be aware of your own desire for them. This can so easily become a means of advancing your own needs, strengths and possessiveness. Not that your needs and strengths are not important.... Lack of awareness of the desires around them, can get in the way. Imagine Christ to be with you – in whatever imagery or feelings help you – use the sentence to be with Him. Christ’s ‘ownership ‘of the vulnerable is paradoxically about freedom and release. In your local community, if Christ were to come (in your imagination) in his humanity again, where and to whom would you take him? Who is lost? Following your answer to these, you may be opened to the reality that you are His coming!

+Martin
Argyll and The Isles