Matthew under the arm 96
[I am aware that it must seem strange to have arrived at a point in the Matthew pilgrimage leading up to the Passion, when in fact we are a matter of days from Christmas. Simply remember that the 'marks' of the Passion are already on Mary and the Christ-child....]
Late yesterday afternoon, Columba and I had to take shelter in a forest from a sudden downpour of rain. To make matters worse, we were both starving. Luckily the trees were closely packed together that by sitting under the firs, we could have some protection. However, we were already soaked through and, of course, getting tired and cold. Columba started to shiver. His circulation was poor, that I knew. I tried to warm him by rubbing his hands, his arms and his feet. Then came thunder and lightning. Being under elderly trees was not advisable. So we battled on against the wind and rain. Eventually, we came across a long track to small farm house. We banged on the door, having seen a light inside. A man came to the door and peered out. Without saying a word, he showed us into the barn, where there was straw. Later he returned with hot soup and bread. Never has any food tasted so wonderful. We tried to get the old man to talk. He remained silent. This afternoon a pilgrim who had shared the barn with us, told us that in the early morning the old man was found dead by his front door. Were we touched by the Kingdom? Columba simply added, 'Act out of Love now!'
Matthew 20:1-16….
So what seems a logical hierarchy in heaven is turned on its head: the last – first. Nor is there any suggestion that the Kingdom is egalitarian. There is no political or moral application of this story whatever. It is about the undermining of assumptions. Deserving, exemplary lives are not necessarily about God and the ‘kingdom’. We can still use our high morality as subtle (and not so subtle) means of control over others. Jesus who is the Son of God, we might have expected to be the centre of attention, as he would soon become ‘king’ on a donkey in a procession. But that all came to nothing. He became the last and the least within days. This story, then, prepares us for the Passion.
Through the simplifying of my attention, I would become aware Your Humility in those who are powerless
The Kingdom of Heaven is an image that you may find difficult. It is a not a place set in time somewhere other than here and now. And yet, there is a taste of the Kingdom in you and your experience that is drawing you towards some fulfilment. That fulfilment has little to do with achievement or control – certainly over others. It is beyond life and death. So in the silence, allow images of that ‘Kingdom’ to surface. Write them down or even draw them, if that helps. If the ‘kingdom' is about the ‘last’, recall the least or the last you have encountered recently and their circumstances. Maybe you have experienced being the last...? Using the sentence, imagine Christ relating to them, (to you!) ...notice what what he says and what he does. Imagination it may simply be, but it may be significant for your response.
+Martin
Argyll and The Isles
Late yesterday afternoon, Columba and I had to take shelter in a forest from a sudden downpour of rain. To make matters worse, we were both starving. Luckily the trees were closely packed together that by sitting under the firs, we could have some protection. However, we were already soaked through and, of course, getting tired and cold. Columba started to shiver. His circulation was poor, that I knew. I tried to warm him by rubbing his hands, his arms and his feet. Then came thunder and lightning. Being under elderly trees was not advisable. So we battled on against the wind and rain. Eventually, we came across a long track to small farm house. We banged on the door, having seen a light inside. A man came to the door and peered out. Without saying a word, he showed us into the barn, where there was straw. Later he returned with hot soup and bread. Never has any food tasted so wonderful. We tried to get the old man to talk. He remained silent. This afternoon a pilgrim who had shared the barn with us, told us that in the early morning the old man was found dead by his front door. Were we touched by the Kingdom? Columba simply added, 'Act out of Love now!'
Matthew 20:1-16….
So what seems a logical hierarchy in heaven is turned on its head: the last – first. Nor is there any suggestion that the Kingdom is egalitarian. There is no political or moral application of this story whatever. It is about the undermining of assumptions. Deserving, exemplary lives are not necessarily about God and the ‘kingdom’. We can still use our high morality as subtle (and not so subtle) means of control over others. Jesus who is the Son of God, we might have expected to be the centre of attention, as he would soon become ‘king’ on a donkey in a procession. But that all came to nothing. He became the last and the least within days. This story, then, prepares us for the Passion.
Through the simplifying of my attention, I would become aware Your Humility in those who are powerless
The Kingdom of Heaven is an image that you may find difficult. It is a not a place set in time somewhere other than here and now. And yet, there is a taste of the Kingdom in you and your experience that is drawing you towards some fulfilment. That fulfilment has little to do with achievement or control – certainly over others. It is beyond life and death. So in the silence, allow images of that ‘Kingdom’ to surface. Write them down or even draw them, if that helps. If the ‘kingdom' is about the ‘last’, recall the least or the last you have encountered recently and their circumstances. Maybe you have experienced being the last...? Using the sentence, imagine Christ relating to them, (to you!) ...notice what what he says and what he does. Imagination it may simply be, but it may be significant for your response.
+Martin
Argyll and The Isles
posted by Martin at 3:57 pm
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