Rob Marshall

St Peter & St Paul 29th June StMA

2008-06-28T13:46:00.001-07:00

The Feast of Peter and Paul offers us a vision of our Church and what it should be, with a complementary and simultaneous outward reach and inward focus.

St Peter & St Paul

A wonderful day to celebrate the essence of what we are to do as Christians!

THIS IS YOUR LIFE:
The two have been celebrated together for centuries because of their common martyrdom in Rome circa AD64

PETER: PRINCE of the Apostles: WITNESS of the Lordship of Jesus

PAUL: FACILITATOR: putting it all into practise.

For us today:
Witnesses of Jesus
Called upon to push the church forward in this culture, for this time, for this place.

ST.PETER
Came to represent to universal church: the kosmos

ST PAUL – cam to represent the local church
a person above all about unity
Pope Benedict: launched the year of St Paul yesterday
St. Paul reminds us that the full communion among all Christians finds its grounds in a single father, a single faith and single baptism,"
“In the final analysis, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul represents the constant tension between "universality" and "locality" in the Church”.
“The Feast of Peter and Paul offers us a vision of our Church and what it should be, with a complementary and simultaneous outward reach and inward focus”.
Dr Alexander Roman – orthodox Theologian

Romans 1st June StMA

2008-06-02T22:44:00.000-07:00

For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God fopr slavation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteounsess of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, 'The one who is righteous will live by faith."

1, A particular situation
2. Not ashamed
3. The Gospel
4. Power
5.Salvation
6. For everyone!
7.Faith
8.Righteousness
9.Revealed
10.Fulfilling

"Paul's letter to the Romans is probably the single most important letter written by a Christian."
JGD Dunn

Sex in the City 30th May

2008-06-01T22:16:00.000-07:00

Having not taken much notice of the series when it was on - the film is an interesting study of relationships and priorities in a slightly "way back" way.

The film is well made, imaginatively crafted and highly amusing.

Thought For The Day - radio 4

2008-05-27T04:11:00.000-07:00

copyright BBC

Rob Marshall
27th May 2008
Good morning
The French are even more furious than the British over the escalating price of fuel.
There were more police than usual as my ferry arrived in Caen on Friday. Burning rubber tyres lit by striking fishermen blocked several roundabouts. Large neon motorway signs advised motorists that the Port of Cherbourg – was simply blocked.

The political consequences of these price hikes are blatantly obvious throughout the developing world; the economic ramifications even more serious.

The British Government, it seems, are to at least consider the introduction of personal carbon credits, where we could exchange what we don’t use with others who need them more as we look more carefully at our priorities.

Only months ago, reducing our carbon footprint and having a sustainable lifestyle were trendy options based on ethical choices: now, people, simply and quite suddenly, have no choice. The need to adapt is essential.

Sociologists will point out that human beings need to make journeys. It is an inherent part of our make up: we leave our home and do what we have to in order to live the rest of our lives. We visit family and friends, change the scenery, enjoy ourselves, do business.

In the Ancient world, journeys to the market and to see family were amongst the highlights of people’s lives. Some of the oldest stories in the Bible concern people going on significant journeys – where the main intention is usually to pass on an important message, greet others, spread the word.

The combination of financial necessity and environmental concern is a new and potent one as we re evaluate our priorities and our travel plans. We all know that many of the journeys we make are not really necessary. National and local government can only do so much.

Those burning tyres on the Normandy coastline really made an impact on me. In one way, they are a genuine cry for help and for economic improvement. But they are also a symbolic smokescreen because just about everyone of us is being forced to face the kind of realities which we don’t like to face and which, after decades of relative affluence, are more about the journey inward than the journey to anywhere else.

Ironically, it is the French spiritual writer Michel Quoist, who in trying to adapt modern living to theological principles suggests that many human beings spent most of their time pursuing and therefore wasting different types of energy, which will always run out in the end. Instead, he suggests that a respect for creation and a genuine concern for and love of one’s neighbour is, paradoxically, the only form of energy which actually costs nothing in material terms and it lasts forever.

Hull City in the Premiership

2008-05-26T00:05:00.000-07:00

Having watched Hull City (the Tigers) since my dad first took me aged 11, it is an astonishing achievement that Hull have made it to the Premiership.

Watched the Wembley final in St Sever (Normandy) before a celebratory barbecue.

An aamzing day!

The Trinity St Mary Abbots 180508

2008-05-18T01:51:00.001-07:00

The Trinity
In the Bible

The Word of God has always been!
190 AD Clement Of Alexandria "When [John] says:
'What was from the beginning [1 John 1:1],' he touches upon the generation without beginning of the Son, who is co-equal with the Father. 'Was,' therefore, is indicative of an eternity without a beginning, just as the Word Himself, that is the Son, being one with the Father in regard to equality of substance, is eternal and uncreated. That the word always existed is signified by the saying: 'In the beginning was the Word'

In Our Prayers

Many of the Prayers since Pentecost are prayers of the Trinity
Orthdodox
ONE God: Three persons
Bishop Tom Wright
We are called to hold firm to trinitarian monotheism in the face of neopaganism, and thus to become the people through whom the one God makes his love, holiness, healing, and justice known in his world. If the love of God is our message, the love of God must also be our breath of life. Prayer such as this can become a means to this end, equipping the renewed church to face the new God-given tasks.

In the Sacraments

Baptism - -Love of the Father, Blessing of the Son, Work of the Spirit
Eucharist

In Our Lives

The doctrine of the Trinity is the affirmation that self-giving is characteristic of Being, that mutuality of self-giving love belongs to God’s perfection and the self giving of God towards his creatures is possible because of the glory which the Father has with the Son in the love of the Spirit eternally
Michael Ramsey

20th April StMA Retrospective Texts

2008-04-23T21:20:00.000-07:00

Evening address on John 5

Looking at how the scriptures change in light of the resurrection.

Thought for the Day 19th April

2008-04-23T21:19:00.000-07:00

Copyright BBC

TFTD 19th March
Pope Visit
Rob Marshall

Good morning
After listening intently to Pope Benedict XVI’s first speech on US soil this week, Mr.Bush, unaware that a TV microphone would catch what he said, warmly congratulated the Pope on his awesome speech. The relaxed exchange has set the tone for a significant visit.

A Papal visit of the kind we are currently observing in the United States is unusual because it is attracting a level of analysis and comment which is out of sink with the media’s usual claim that whilst faith is of great interest to many people – organised religion and Mass attendance is on the wane.

But here we have the direct successor of St Peter, flying from city to city, riding in a pope mobile, attracting huge crowds and filling baseball stadiums; he has held talks with business and community leaders and was at the United Nations in New York yesterday.

Several newspaper columnists have got my goat in recent days writing sulkily that only America could greet a Pope in this way – doing justice in their writing neither to the office of Pope nor to the integrity of the American people.

When John Paul II came to the United Kingdom several decades ago, I went to one of the open air masses and it really was quite extraordinary to behold: why, I asked myself, could the church not learn something quite basic from this excitement – this sense of a great event.?

But the one thing which will be remembered above all after the visit of this very different Pope to the United States is the simple word “sorry”. The Holy Father recognised that there was no way he could celebrate the essence of his own faith amongst new friends without first offering a deep and profound apology for previous wrongs- and particularly to the victims of terrible abuse by representatives of his own church in former times.

The protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults is now a massive priority for any organisation working with and for them. And whilst the putting in place of stringent measures to protect children in the future is admirable – we cannot forget those who have suffered terribly in the past and who still bear the scares of previous wrongdoing.

By saying sorry so openly and unequivocally, Pope Benedict’s confession and appeal for forgiveness has obviously rallied many Americans behind him and given millions of Christians a basic reminder of how true repentance can lead to a fresh start. There’s no room for complacency but there’s certainly an opportunity to live out perhaps the most famous prayer of all: forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those have trespassed against us.

Thought For The Day: Radio 4 12th April

2008-04-13T06:51:00.000-07:00

Copyright - BBC

12th April 2008
Rob Marshall.
Good morning.
The price of wheat has doubled in the past year. The price of rice has risen an astonishing 75% in the last two months.

People are drawing a connection between affordable food and social stability. Food riots have already broken out in Haiti, India and Mexico. There are chronic food shortages in many countries.

The President of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick (Zellick), says that “while many worry about filling their gas tanks, many others around the world are struggling to fill their stomachs.” The fight against poverty has been put back 7 years.

Assessing Britain’s economic downturn against an international backdrop of widespread hunger and malnutrition is both sobering and challenging. Can it really be true that we actually throw away one third of the food we purchase every week – mainly because we buy too much in the first place and then let it go out of date?

I felt appalled by this statistic. I next opened my fridge in shame. Realising that I really was seduced by elaborate packaging, special offers and was locked into a culture of purchasing without thought which suddenly seemed enormously naive – yes, even disgraceful.
In the Old Testament, a famine is always a suggestion that things are not right in creation: that imbalances need to be sorted out. Faith responds by focussing on the common good rather than on individual greed; on the will of God rather than the priorities of wayward humanity.

James Martin, in his recent book, The Meaning of the 21st Century, urges political and financial initiatives to build up food reserves to tide populations over during dry and difficult spells. This, he refers to, as food security.

Achieving food security on a global scale can be tackled at many different but equally important levels. It starts, of course, with an individual acknowledgement that this is a serious issue which we should all be aware of and respond to accordingly.

As the World Bank and the IMF meet in Washington this weekend, there’s an urgency in finding the political and financial will to deal with the escalating numbers hungry people and the misery of poor.

In about the 8th Century BC, the prophet Isaiah surveyed the miserable imbalances in society and conveyed God’s message which is just as appropriate today: “What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the face of the poor?” It remains a fair question.

Never Forget - The Musical : Wimbledon Theatre

2008-04-13T06:47:00.000-07:00

Yes - I went!

Can't quite believe it.

On it's way into the West End this exhuberant, brilliant night out has all the ingredients of naffness and energy which goes to make a completely harmless and thoroughly enjoyable evening!

Relight my fire! :)

Small Change by Peter Gill

2008-04-13T06:41:00.000-07:00

First visit to the Donmar Warehouse for quite a few years to see the very first night of their newest production - Small Change, by Peter Gill.

The story of two mothers and two sons with the inevitable often conflicting themes of childhood, marriage, boredom, frustration, homosexuality and the "unsaid".

Sue Johnstone, whose decade in Brookside and amazing performances in the Royal Family and too many TV productions to mention gives the evening focus and purpose. Her confidence and experience add authority to an otherwise slightly light evening.

There are few surprises and a sense of "these themes have been tackled so many times that nothing new has really been added here" but Johnstone's immense talent redeem the journey home.

St Mary Abbots 6th April I Corinthians 3

2008-04-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

Marvellous passage.

Paul tells the Christian body to stick together and not to be divided.

One body. One Church. Force of the Resurrection.

Reminds us
the foundation stone is Jesus himself

We need to build something strong and resilient on that foundation.

We are God's temple - sanctuary - God dwells in us.

Ours is a God of resurrection.

St Mary Abbots 6th April Emmaus

2008-04-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

Michael Ramsey wrote

"For the early Christians, the breaking of the bread was a central link both with the passion and resurrection. Through the Eucharist, the people of Christ still shew forth His death and feed on his life, and Calvary and Easter are perpetuated in the life of the Church"

Today's Collect calls on us to be strengthened and sustained by the resurrection.

Eucharist plays a significant role.

Luke 24 - great story of Jesus revealing himself through the breaking of the bread on the road to Emmaus.

Self revelation of Jesus.

Was it a Eucharist?

Last Supper - Jesus explains the Passion.

Emmaus - Jesus explains the Resurrection.

The resurrection is at the heart of the Christian life as a Resurrection feast.

Thought for the Day BBC Radio 4

2008-04-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

TFTD - Copyright BBC
Saturday 5th April
Rob Marshall
Good morning
The Olympic torch arrives in London later tonight. It is on a global journey lasting four months with Beijing as the final destination in August.

Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of London tomorrow – just to witness this light. There is something obviously powerful about an eternal flame promising hope and bringing people together. It symbolises timelessness, confidence and all that is good about the human condition.

The paradox, however, of any torch, light or flame is that it always invades or needs to shine through a certain amount of darkness. And the darkness of current events in Tibet means that this light has needed extra security and more police in several countries to protect it along the way as protests are heard out of the darkness.

Many times, when I’m preparing a sermon or a talk, at anything from a wedding to a funeral the stark, simple spiritual contrast between light and darkness is always a powerful symbol. It is there in creation, prominent in the Psalms and Wisdom Literature and is a solid New Testament theme. The Anglican Prayer book talks of the armour of light which casts away the works of darkness.

People see the difference between darkness and light in their relationships, in their moods and reflections – at work and certainly at tough times when facing sickness or uncertainty.

So Jesus knew what he was doing when he said that as the light of the world he was offering people a choice between love/hate, joy/sadness – but most of all he urged people to have enough faith to believe that the light would always overcome the darkness in the end.

That’s why we light so many candles in churches; because we believe that life has more than one dimension to it.

I’m inspired to see that so many people around the world have already stopped, paused, applauded in response to a simple Olympic flame. For the light gives them hope, even as they protest about the darkness.

Held aloft, people will cast a glance at the Olympic flame in London tomorrow. As Jacques Rogge, the IOC president said when the Olympic flame was lit, it has the force to unite humanity and stand for harmony; And I agree. It speaks of something quite different, and raises us out of the darkness.

Holy Wednesday Address at St Mary Abbots

2008-03-19T23:28:00.000-07:00

Psalm 123
1 -->
Supplication for Mercy
A Song of Ascents.1To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! 2As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until he has mercy upon us.
3Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. 4Our soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.

Psalms of Ascent

Jerusalem

Jesus

121 Protection

122 Peace

123 - this is a Psalm about God's mercy.

Lift up!
Eyes!
God shows us mercy
We appeal to it

Mercy in the Bible

Old Testament - hesed: legal/covenant/behavioural/retribution
New Testament - eleos: pity/compassion = relational

HH Esser
"Here we see the breaking in of the divine mercy into the reality of human misery which took place in the person of Jesus of Nazareth in his work of freeing and healing which marks his authority."

Pilgrimage this Holy Week

To go again to Jerusalem

Ask God to be with us

Ask God for his peace

Ask also for his mercy

When we say "Lord in Your Mercy"
- a confession of faith in the divine authority of Jesus

-brought near to the living hope

St Ambrose
"Mercy is a good thing for it makes us perfect; in that it imitates the perfect Father. Nothing graces the Christian soul so much as mercy."

St Mary Abbots Holy Tuesday Address

2008-03-19T23:21:00.000-07:00

Psalm 122
1 -->
Song of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem
A Song of Ascents. Of David.1I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’ 2Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together. 4To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5For there the thrones for judgement were set up, the thrones of the house of David.
6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. 7Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.’ 8For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.

Jesus going up to Jerusalem

Jerusalem - the City!
A place where people go to make sense of the world.

The City where God resides

This is a Psalm concerned with peace.

Psalmist says:

We take everything with us

We pray for peace and security

Something we share

"God's peace has something to do with the acceptance of God's world in its complexity."
Rowan Williams

"Establishing peace is the very essence of sonship."
Pope Benedict

"Let nothing ever disturb you,
Nothing affright you;
All things are passing,
God never changes.
Patient endurance
Attains to all things;
Who God possesses
In nothing is wanting:
Alone God suffices".
St Teresa of Avila

St Mary Abbots Holy Week Address (1)

2008-03-18T00:49:00.000-07:00

The Psalms of Ascent

Jesus - immersed in the tradition of the Old Testament

This is a Pilgrim Song

On his way to Jerusalem for the last time.....this song would have been popular in his mind.

Language of the Psalm

Simplicity

Conversational

Rooted in Creation

God is never Far Away

"Past, Present, Future"

God Alone can save us

Main messages:

"In every kind of danger, God keeps us from evil and guards our soul."

The relationship between God and each person is personal.

This Psalm guides us into the essence of this Holy Week.

Psalm 121
A song of ascents. 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Pope Benedict Review

2008-03-16T00:53:00.001-07:00

book REVIEW
Ratzinger’s Faith
Tracey Rowland
The Theology of Pope Benedict XVI
Oxford University Press £12.99

Because of Joseph Ratzinger’s crucial role in the Vatican before his election as successor to Pope John Paul II, this book greatly assists us in unravelling how the Cardinal was able to move smoothly and without any great sense of effort to the throne of St.Peter. It also helps us if we want to know more – there are many references to where we might go if we want to explore further.Rowland is Dean and Associate Professor of Political Philosophy and Continental Theology of the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne, Australia and the book proclaims itself as “The first substantial assessment of Pope Benedict XVI’s theological vision.”

The book is well written with a concise sense of conviction and focus. It looks at revelation, scripture and tradition as well as exploring liturgical issues and the nature of communion. The Subiaco and Regensburg addresses, delivered by the Pope, are appended in full.

This book is an excellent resource for all those concerned about unity and authority. Urging Christians to stick to the truth as revealed in Jesus, Rowland suggests that Ratzinger sees the Church as the vehicle by which the truth is revealed: “He is critical of interpretations which would transform Christianity into what he provocatively calls a ‘poorly managed haberdashery that is always trying to lure more customers.”

Our Pilgrimage Day in London

2008-03-13T00:49:00.001-07:00

Priorities in Pilgrimage
Bishop David Hope chaired a day in London looking at pilgrimage in the 21st century on March 12th.

It attracted delegates from all over the country.
A brief synopsis follows:

Bishop David Hope:

Loves the quote:
"Doing is a very deadly thing"
Caring less for doing - rather more for being.

Preoccupation with being busy.

Pilgrimage is a journey

Exploring new places: lots of information: all interesting: "at the end of the day the purpose of going on pilgrimage is to be closer to Jesus Christ".

Call to a deeper expression of discipleship.

Jesus inviting us to be friends of God on a journey.

Still moments on a pilgrimage when you can make space: different sites affect different people differently.

Finding time for the divine light to radiate in our lives and being.

Importance of pausing, stopping, reflecting……..

When we return - the gifts of the spirit should be more obvious within us.

We come back to our lives, our parish: pilgrimage makes a difference.

Dr.Gavin Wakefield
St.John’s College, Durham

Pilgrimage belongs to many religious traditions.

Christian pilgrimage: focused on Christ: shaped by the call of Jesus.

Stations of the Cross - a kind of pilgrimage close at hand.

History of Christian pilgrimage outlined.

Early Irish Christians
value in the very act of journeying - and not necessarily related to what God had done in the past.

They went because they were worried about what might happen in the future:

Martyrdom
various concepts explained

-deep engagement with God
-seeking the way of the cross

being on the move with Christ

Brendan
historical figure: 5th century
monk/abbot
based in Ireland
traveller
he went all over Europe
new monasteries founded
voyage of Brendan

Columba
6th century
founding of monastery on Iona
deaconed at 19
these monks loved going on journeys
he didn't travel as much
563 - Columba took 12 monks with him from Ireland to Scotland
Iona set up
went on many more journeys
centre for prayer, mission and politics
Irish monasteries were not places of peace and quiet
like a village - people trying to follow Christ in that place

Mark 1.35 -Jesus also did the same

Aidan
Founded monastery on Holy Island
Further development of prayer in Irish tradition
Wonderful rhythm of the day
Tide ebb and flowing on Lindisfarne
Aidan = with a definite mission
He also needed time away to be with God and pilgrimage was not always an option
Farne Islands
Aidan encountered those who needed to know the message of Christ.
He wanted to enable other people to be able to grow.

Summary:
Monasticism and Pilgrimage were all bound together.
Spiritual Rhythm
Monks did it the other way round: in the monastery they engaged with people, pilgrimage was about withdrawing from the world and going off to meet with God.

Points to note:

1) Pilgrimage today usually has a known destination.
Irish way - not always the case

2) Pilgrimage today is usually highly organised.
Not in their case

3) Journey is the outward expression of the inner journey.

Pilgrimage

many different ways

eventually does become a withdrawal from the world

don't organise God out of the event

it is the unexpected in which God can make himself known

If pilgrimage enables you to meet with God - embrace it.
Canon Martin Warner
Master of the Guardians of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham

Recounted the history of the Shrine

Slipper Chapel – slipping in to pray.

1922 Father Hope Patten begins to restore the Shrine.

Rediscovery of the well was important.

250,000 people go on pilgrimage to Walsingham every year.

Story of the Holy House

Story of Annunciation

Story of Mary’s YES to God

Bringing the whole of life to us.

Praying at the Shrine:

Intercessions:
Narrating the human condition
Every day, without fail, at 6.00pm

Water:
The waters of the well
Baptism transforms our lives

Adoration
Just being there
People come from our large cities to link up with creation

Stations of the Cross and Processions
Most groups do this reenacted symbol- a liturgical reminder/ a restoration of confidence

Eucharist
Fed with the bread of heaven
Citizens of Heavenly Jerusalem

The way in which we should remodel love.

Pilgrimage is where we grow graciously into what God as in store for us.

John Humphries

2008-03-10T12:11:00.001-07:00

Great breakfast today with JH.

Discussed his excellent charitable work over breakfast.

More to follow.

Peacemakers

2008-03-10T12:10:00.001-07:00

Blessed are the peacemakers.

Eirene – peace (Greek)

Opposite of war
“Peace is the state of law and order which gives rise to the blessings of posterity.”

Hebrew

Shalom
Occurs 250 times in the Old Testament
“well being in the widest sense”
Associated with the presence of God

Fulfilment/completion/satisfaction

Christ is the mediator of peace.

Part of the Kingdom

Sharing of the peace in the Eucharist.

About wholeness: well being.

C Brown;
“There is no room for false peace. By its very nature peace is grounded in the righteousness and wholeness which God gives to man for the sake of Christ and his merits.”

Give peace in our time O Lord

Blessed are the peacemakers

Israel

2008-03-03T10:08:00.000-08:00

My first visit to Israel for over a year has just finished.

It was super to be back and to enjoy introducing up to 100 people to the joys of pilgrimage in the Holy Land.

With the tension between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza increasing all the time there were earnest prayers for peace between both parties.

Back to London on El Al with a Holy Land cold, but fully refreshed in the spirit of this special place.

Tribute to Roger Pincham CBE

2008-03-03T10:06:00.000-08:00

A service was held at St Mary Abbots last weekend to celebrate 35 years of service.

Roger Pincham stepped down as Chair of the Governors of St James Schools and I was asked to speak at a service for pupils, teachers, parents and fellow governors.

The theme was the life and pilgrimage of St James the Apostle and my colleague Gillean Craig was able to present Roger with a pilgrimage badge - a replica of a badge found in the River Thames depicting the importance of St James.

Celtic Prayer St Mary Abbots 170208

2008-02-17T23:00:00.000-08:00

St Mary Abbots
Lent 2008: Celtic Prayer

What do we mean by Celtic ?
Very little evidence: misty and vague
The Venerable Bede: born 672
Certainly was a movement of monks moving around.
The Celtic saints: Columba: Aidan: Cuthbert: Hilda and many more

Two key themes:
A wistful sense of longing for a lost homeland
A perpetual sense of pilgrimage and exile.

Writings & Prayers:
Combination of Bede and other minor sources.

Gavin Wakefield (Durham) suggests the following themes can be deduced from all we know, for example, about Aidan: all of which formed his prayer life
Passion for God
Possessions as Secondary
Gentleness & Openness
Seeing Christ in Others
Equality & Humility with leaders and ordinary people
Importance of education

6 Key points about Celtic Prayer.
“Living and praying are inseparable”

About Journeying
the longest journey is the journey inward: the whole of life is here

About Creation
“The Celtic way of seeing the world never lets me forget my relationship with the earth.” (Esther de Waal The Celtic Way of Prayer H&S 1996)

About Time
The rhythm of the year
The rhythm of the day

About the Senses
Lighting a fire/Baking bread/Milking a cow/making clothes/weaving

About being able to spend time alone
The solitary

About the Cross
The Celtic cross has the great O of the world itself
Crucifixion/Creation/Redemption – all held together

About Healing
Body cannot be healed apart from the soul.
Thus the resurrection brings perfect healing.

The Prayer of the Venerable Bede
I Pray you, good Jesus, that as you have given me the grace to drink in with joy the Word that gives knowledge of you, so in your goodness you will grant me to come at length to yourself, the source of all wisdom, to stand before your face forever. Amen

A modern Celtic Prayer
Come on pilgrimage.
Let us walk together the road of life.
We will go on well trodden paths,
And also open us new ways.
We will seek,
We will search,
We will rejoice,
And perhaps we will sing.

You cannot come as an onlooker,
That leaves you on the outside,
Yet still influencing us,
As we influence you.
Come and share your experiences,
Your sorrows and your joys.
If your prayer has gone dead,
Your God is too small,
Your vision too narrow,
Come journey into new depths,
Let life be an adventure.

Come and participate,
Come and discover-
We will go to strange places,
We may even meet dragons.
But we do not journey alone
We go together along the road
And our God goes with us.
Amen

David Adam
The Road of Life SPCK 2004

The Big Question - St Mary Abbots 170208

2008-02-17T22:57:00.000-08:00

John 3.16

The answer to the questions of Nicodemus, the Pharisee, about what must a person do to be born again (or to be born anew)?

Only in John.

Nicodemus comes at night so that people do not know.

Asks Jesus a key question - how do I attain salvation.

Interesting question to ponder and the road through Lent.

Link to baptism - imagery of water anbd spirit.

This slavation is a gift of Go; perfected in Jesus - achieved through the transformation of suffering and a looking to the resurrection.