Matthew under the arm 104

I had an accident on the pathway two days ago. There I was looking at the racing clouds in the sky, when I tripped on a rock and fell flat on my face into, what I can only describe, as substances left behind by a passing herd of cattle! Oh well! Two pilgrims caught up with me and helped me clean up my bleeding knee. On asking them about their background, they made it clear that they were not 'believers' and were only intrigued by the process of pilgrimage as a human endeavour. Over a hot plate of soup that evening, I said to Columba that I was somewhat taken aback that those who have little or no belief should be on the pilgrimage. Columba looked cross and said nothing to begin with. But then the surprise....! 'God bless them for their honesty and their love and care of you. Ubi caritas.....!' I then asked rather weakly, 'Well. What's the point of beliving then?' Columba smiled and I winced, 'Your leg is healing!' Matthew 21:28-32. Perhaps it is worth repeating that parables make one point only. The unlikely ones, for 'religious' people, by what they do and say appear to refuse the supposed benefits of religion, are the ones who are accepted. We would do well to be careful about our attitudes not only to people of different faiths, but to those who refuse to have anything to do with 'religion'. Maybe they have the word of God for us! Given the history of certain kinds of religious 'righteousness' in this and the last century, it does not take much to imply exclusion which in extreme circumstances can lead to to ethnic cleansing. Christianity is not about security for Christians, but it is about insecurity for the love of the alienated. Open your heart to My Wisdom that sees My Truth in all The desire for affirmation is often greater than the desire to do a requested job. It takes some courage to say 'no' because it may cause criticism and rejection. It may need to be done for its own sake. The ones who actually 'do' the job are often the 'outsiders' because they have less to lose. They probably know that they are not going to be accepted anyway. In your prayer imagine or remember a caring person you know but who will have nothing to do with belief or religion, or who belongs to a different culture than you. Then look for what is creative in them. You will see that what they do or don't believe is less significant. What they are and do speak of is love and ordinary kindness. Not a bad desire for meditation. +Martin Argyll and The Isles