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