Matthew under the arm 100
[Well. Posting 100! If you are still out there...thank you for sharing in the pilgrimage, no matter how far ahead, behind, in the bushes, behind the wall...etc... you may be. I know this is a little early for the 'moving towards the Passion'. My guess is that it will take us into Lent and perhaps to Holy week etc... In any case, the Passion, as with the Nativity, is with us all the time...]
The last few days have been great! We've had a long rest. Somehow, I found that with his guidance throughout the pilgrimage so far, I have kept the habit of daily contemplative silence with the Gospel even on the 'days off'. That silence, that stillness has become part of me. Of course, it can be hard. The time can be about falling asleep! It can feel like a waste of time. Occasionally it feels exciting and feeding. But the habit now is ingrained. Today we move into the final and long stage of our pilgrimage. When I woke this morning in a bunk at 5.30am (thanks to Columba), from across the room came the cheery question: 'Are you ready?' 'No', I replied in a slightly irritated fashion, given the time. 'Good', said Columba. 'Do you want to be ready?' 'Mmmm? Don't know...for what?' 'For following the Way....' 'By the way', I added, as I put my feet on the cold wooden floor, 'Where are we aiming for...' 'The door', he replied helpfully.
Matthew 21:1-11
Messiah enters Jerusalem. The two principle features of this passage are the attention to detail and the acute connection to the Hebrew Scriptures. The cloaks coming off the backs of the disciples symbolise their desire to participate in The Way. [You might add what I like as a rather appealing image - they were, so to speak, rolling their sleaves up!] The branches symbolise the participation of nature in the Way. The fulfilment of the prophecy concerning a donkey and a colt brings into the present moment, with the other symbols, the role of the followers of The Way to prepare carefully each step as an act of natural obedience to God. The Way is that of death and resurrection being the marks of the community that prepares for the coming of the Kingdom. So with the 'big picture' in mind and heart, the preparation for it is simple but precise.
I would respond now to prepare Thy Way of Love in Thy Life, Thy Death and Thy Resurrection
There is in front of you and the Christian Community to which you belong the demand to work with Christ for the Kingdom of God. Spend time becoming clear about your role and responsibility in that work. Do not force plans and programmes into your heart. Allow your imagination to have the delightful freedom to 'picture' such a Kingdom in your context, no matter how outlandish it may initially seem. What is your role in the preparation and in the obedience to The Way towards God's Kingdom as it is to be in your context? What do you imagine will be the cost to you and your community? Take careful note of your expereince of this prayer, as part of the careful preparation.
+Martin
Argyll and he Isles
The last few days have been great! We've had a long rest. Somehow, I found that with his guidance throughout the pilgrimage so far, I have kept the habit of daily contemplative silence with the Gospel even on the 'days off'. That silence, that stillness has become part of me. Of course, it can be hard. The time can be about falling asleep! It can feel like a waste of time. Occasionally it feels exciting and feeding. But the habit now is ingrained. Today we move into the final and long stage of our pilgrimage. When I woke this morning in a bunk at 5.30am (thanks to Columba), from across the room came the cheery question: 'Are you ready?' 'No', I replied in a slightly irritated fashion, given the time. 'Good', said Columba. 'Do you want to be ready?' 'Mmmm? Don't know...for what?' 'For following the Way....' 'By the way', I added, as I put my feet on the cold wooden floor, 'Where are we aiming for...' 'The door', he replied helpfully.
Matthew 21:1-11
Messiah enters Jerusalem. The two principle features of this passage are the attention to detail and the acute connection to the Hebrew Scriptures. The cloaks coming off the backs of the disciples symbolise their desire to participate in The Way. [You might add what I like as a rather appealing image - they were, so to speak, rolling their sleaves up!] The branches symbolise the participation of nature in the Way. The fulfilment of the prophecy concerning a donkey and a colt brings into the present moment, with the other symbols, the role of the followers of The Way to prepare carefully each step as an act of natural obedience to God. The Way is that of death and resurrection being the marks of the community that prepares for the coming of the Kingdom. So with the 'big picture' in mind and heart, the preparation for it is simple but precise.
I would respond now to prepare Thy Way of Love in Thy Life, Thy Death and Thy Resurrection
There is in front of you and the Christian Community to which you belong the demand to work with Christ for the Kingdom of God. Spend time becoming clear about your role and responsibility in that work. Do not force plans and programmes into your heart. Allow your imagination to have the delightful freedom to 'picture' such a Kingdom in your context, no matter how outlandish it may initially seem. What is your role in the preparation and in the obedience to The Way towards God's Kingdom as it is to be in your context? What do you imagine will be the cost to you and your community? Take careful note of your expereince of this prayer, as part of the careful preparation.
+Martin
Argyll and he Isles
Labels: Discipleship Responsibility
posted by Martin at 6:32 pm
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