Matthew under the arm 139
We hadn’t eaten for two days. When we found a friendly inn, we sat by the fire and after a huge plate of broth, fell fast asleep. We woke early in the morning just before dawn. Columba looked pale. I asked him about his first experience of Christ. ‘It was early one morning, when my mother woke me as she always did with the words: ‘Christ has risen’, to which I was expected to respond, ‘He is risen indeed’. At Easter when we could shout ‘Alleluia!’ as well. But this particular morning I asked my mother where I could find this Risen Christ. She replied: ‘He is going ahead of you.’ So my experience, dear pilgrim friend, is that Christ is always just ahead of me.” “Just out of sight?” I added…. Columba remained silent and smiled.
Matthew 28.1-8
The actual raising by God of Jesus is not described in this passage. It is significant that we are left with the facticity of the empty tomb and bewildering words: ‘He is not here.’ I am silenced, but not as a withdrawal from those who would challenge and indeed dismiss the resurrection. This silence is recognition that I must have the humility to be challenged and to think about the faith that is based on the witness of those who experienced the Risen Christ. There is a human lust for certainty and to have things spelt out. When they are, of course, there is the dissatisfaction. This story creates breathless expectation not certainty, like a child constantly delighted with what may lie round the next corner. ‘Now He is going ahead of you’.
BE SILENT AND PONDER MY PRESENCE WHICH ENLIVENS, RAISES YOU; GOES AHEAD OF YOU TO GUIDE YOU
Recall a time when you have been deeply afraid. Who is involved in this memory? Where are you? What is the cause of the anxiety? Be as observant as you can. Blame no one in this exercise, least of all yourself. For many, the most troublesome experience of anxiety is when there is rejection. Now read this passage from Matthew carefully and maybe several times. Stop whenever a phrase or a word captivates you. Notice the tomb. Allow your imagination to picture every detail, every feeling associated with that detail. Listen to the words of the angel to the women.Allow your imagination to be free. Where would you go now? What is your first reaction? Note down as much of your experience of this exercise as you can recall. He is going before you!
+Martin
Bishop of Argyll and The Isles
Matthew 28.1-8
The actual raising by God of Jesus is not described in this passage. It is significant that we are left with the facticity of the empty tomb and bewildering words: ‘He is not here.’ I am silenced, but not as a withdrawal from those who would challenge and indeed dismiss the resurrection. This silence is recognition that I must have the humility to be challenged and to think about the faith that is based on the witness of those who experienced the Risen Christ. There is a human lust for certainty and to have things spelt out. When they are, of course, there is the dissatisfaction. This story creates breathless expectation not certainty, like a child constantly delighted with what may lie round the next corner. ‘Now He is going ahead of you’.
BE SILENT AND PONDER MY PRESENCE WHICH ENLIVENS, RAISES YOU; GOES AHEAD OF YOU TO GUIDE YOU
Recall a time when you have been deeply afraid. Who is involved in this memory? Where are you? What is the cause of the anxiety? Be as observant as you can. Blame no one in this exercise, least of all yourself. For many, the most troublesome experience of anxiety is when there is rejection. Now read this passage from Matthew carefully and maybe several times. Stop whenever a phrase or a word captivates you. Notice the tomb. Allow your imagination to picture every detail, every feeling associated with that detail. Listen to the words of the angel to the women.Allow your imagination to be free. Where would you go now? What is your first reaction? Note down as much of your experience of this exercise as you can recall. He is going before you!
+Martin
Bishop of Argyll and The Isles
posted by Martin at 9:12 pm
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