It is also the beginning of the Week for Christian Unity in our country of Scotland. On Tuesday evening 8th January I was chatting to a friend, Alex Philip who is our People's Warden and Fabric Convener at church, as well as a Chorister in our church choir. By the next morning he had died suddenly, of an aneurism behind his heart. I was completely shocked and distressed. Folk at church, particularly women friends, talked of his attentiveness to their well-being, seeing them home if needs be, even repairing their cars; always the Christian gentleman. I found him invaluable as a close friend on the Vestry. He was practical and hands-on; always willing to go the extra mile. He was the main carer of his wheelchair bound wife Thea. I have talked to his wife, his son Lorne, and one of his two daughters, Alison, who was in church today although she lives down on the south-west coast in Ayr. Death is part of life, yet it is difficult to cope with when it is someone close to you. The Family Eucharist today was a profound affair - distressing yet with laughter too. It was funny not to see him as Crucifer for the Choir. I will miss his deep baritone voice singinging Choral Evensong, and his deep voice as a reader at the lectern.
How does one measure such a man's stature and life? I have thought of it, and it is not possible to do this as his legacies are profound. He certainly affected and touched so many of us as a Christian gentleman. I will miss his jokes and merry quips. Thank you Alex - and thank you God.
May Alex rest in peace and rise in Glory and may perpetual light shine on him. Yes, thanks be to God. The Baptism of Christ today represents a new beginning in life for all of us.
Sunday, 13 January 2008
Sunday, 6 January 2008
Feast of the Epiphany, Sunday, 06 Jan-08.
The Epiphany - a curious word. James Joyce used it too, but in relation to his writing. Over in Europe it is called the Feast of the Three Kings, or simply the three Kings. Some countries over there make quite a festival of it. Even Protestant countries like the Netherlands have special services on this day. The great organ in the Parish Church in the square at Delft will be ringing out to the roof beams with Bach, I feel sure. That really is a great organ, and it is played by a great organist too. Who knows who the three Kings were really. They are highly symbolic of being from different parts of the world, all paying homage to a child; the Son of God, sent to redeem us all with love, compassion and acceptance. For the Christian this should result in us also loving others and having compassion and forgiveness in our hearts. Love, compassion and forgiveness are Christian virtues. I often wonder what other religions feel about these Christian virtues. They often interpret the Bible with hatred, punishment and retribution. I wonder where on earth that gets us all. Now the three Kings - well, we do know who they are by name, as the Bible tells us, but to me they tell of the great journeys they made, all to have a relationship with a baby. The effect of that, throughout 2000 plus years of Christianity has had an overall beneficial effect upon all who believe in the love of God through Christianity. Of course, not all who believe, adhere to the tenets of the faith and history tells us about the religious wars, all of which failed to achieve God's command that we love one another, for love is of God. The revelation of Jesus as a helpless child who would save mankind for all who believe, is a powerful message, for all who believe will be granted a place with God.
Islam has now been labelled as the Devil religion, which perpetrates violence and Islamic killers quote the Qoran that tells them that it is OK to kill those who do not believe as they believe. Everyone is worried about meeting Muslims now. Even more so is meeting Muslim women covered from head to toe in black material. In the west, black is a symbol of death, of mourning, of the 'bad guys'. Again, folk worry that such women may be suicide bombers who don't see God's gift of human beings as important. Now the President of a Glasgow Mosque gave a gift to me of The Qoran after doing a service for a member of that Mosque. I was intrigued to read it. It is difficult to follow if you compare it with the Bible, but nonetheless I did not find instructions to kill everyone who is not a Muslim. I did find a code of good living, and of a discipline of inner belief in God, made explicit through daily prayers and family living. Of course, Islam is a relatively new religion, compared with Christianity, i.e., it developed, as we did, as a breakaway from Judaism, albeit some hundreds of years after the birth of Jesus. Their modus operandi does remind me of Judaism, which is not surprising. Indeed, when visiting a Synagogue in Glasgow to hear the Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sachs, on behalf of our Diocesan Bishop, I was struck with the similarity in the form of morning service. Although I don't understand Hebrew I knew where we were in the service at any one time, and I knew that when the Reader stood up to read from the Scrolls ( we would say at Mattins 'Here beginneth the...' I just knew he was saying 'It is written...' i.e., if it is written, it is true. The Reader in the days of Jesus would have said the same thing. Indeed, we know that Jesus stood up to read from the Hebrew Bible, so he would have said that too. So, our traditions, including the Holy Eucharist, are taken from Judaism originally, as is Islam. The Muslims I know are all God-fearing and devout believers in the Word as revealed by Mohammed, whose name is blesséd. They are all peaceful family folk who condemn violence, even by their 'ain folk who are terrorists. This is no different than the killings in Northern Ireland between Catholics ( whatever that word means to an Episcopalian!) and Protestants ( whatever that means nowadays ). So Christians cannot blame Islam - it's all to do with how folk are taught their religion, which begets that society should look at training of priests, ministers and imams in the UK. Imams and those clergy from abroad who perpetuate violence should be ejected from the UK to where they came from.
The revelation at the Epiphany of a child, is one of love, hope and a new life. We should all pay homage to that.
Islam has now been labelled as the Devil religion, which perpetrates violence and Islamic killers quote the Qoran that tells them that it is OK to kill those who do not believe as they believe. Everyone is worried about meeting Muslims now. Even more so is meeting Muslim women covered from head to toe in black material. In the west, black is a symbol of death, of mourning, of the 'bad guys'. Again, folk worry that such women may be suicide bombers who don't see God's gift of human beings as important. Now the President of a Glasgow Mosque gave a gift to me of The Qoran after doing a service for a member of that Mosque. I was intrigued to read it. It is difficult to follow if you compare it with the Bible, but nonetheless I did not find instructions to kill everyone who is not a Muslim. I did find a code of good living, and of a discipline of inner belief in God, made explicit through daily prayers and family living. Of course, Islam is a relatively new religion, compared with Christianity, i.e., it developed, as we did, as a breakaway from Judaism, albeit some hundreds of years after the birth of Jesus. Their modus operandi does remind me of Judaism, which is not surprising. Indeed, when visiting a Synagogue in Glasgow to hear the Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sachs, on behalf of our Diocesan Bishop, I was struck with the similarity in the form of morning service. Although I don't understand Hebrew I knew where we were in the service at any one time, and I knew that when the Reader stood up to read from the Scrolls ( we would say at Mattins 'Here beginneth the...' I just knew he was saying 'It is written...' i.e., if it is written, it is true. The Reader in the days of Jesus would have said the same thing. Indeed, we know that Jesus stood up to read from the Hebrew Bible, so he would have said that too. So, our traditions, including the Holy Eucharist, are taken from Judaism originally, as is Islam. The Muslims I know are all God-fearing and devout believers in the Word as revealed by Mohammed, whose name is blesséd. They are all peaceful family folk who condemn violence, even by their 'ain folk who are terrorists. This is no different than the killings in Northern Ireland between Catholics ( whatever that word means to an Episcopalian!) and Protestants ( whatever that means nowadays ). So Christians cannot blame Islam - it's all to do with how folk are taught their religion, which begets that society should look at training of priests, ministers and imams in the UK. Imams and those clergy from abroad who perpetuate violence should be ejected from the UK to where they came from.
The revelation at the Epiphany of a child, is one of love, hope and a new life. We should all pay homage to that.
Saturday, 5 January 2008
Monday, 31 December 2007
Hogmanay again, 2007 - the Black Wood walk, further on.
Here was the source of the increasing roaring sound as we walked through the wood: the lovely 'eas' or waterfall, rushing down to the loch.
Hogmanay, 2007.
It is also the Feast Day of John Wycliffe, AD 1384, who was a reformer. Now that's an interesting description. I suppose the folk of his day looked shocked and askance at his reforms, seeking the status quo. So, what's new nowadays I wonder?
The day before yesterday we walked in the Black Wood above Loch Rannoch. It is part of both the Tay Forest and the old Caledonian Forest. Snow on the tops of Schiehallion and the mountains range of Glencoe, clearly visible down the loch and stark against the clear blue sky. Schiehallion was the nearest mountain and was also covered in whispy white cloud whipping off the top. In the sun it looked spectacular. Deep in the Black Wood there was a lovely, deep silence. The mushroomy, pine needly smell under the Scots Pines was deep and crisp. Icycles drooped from the upper branches and rain globules were in rows lower down, glistening in the sunlight. A Blackcock called from somewhere deep in the Black Wood. Siskins 'sissed' from the upper branches. A glimpse through the wood to the Loch showed a skein of Barnacle geese feeding by the lochside. The watchman goose eyed us suspiciously as if to ask.'What are you doing here; can't we feed in peace?' So we left them in peace and continued our walk in the wood. Then, in the deep silence of the forest there was a gradual roaring noise and then, through a gap there it was; a roaring waterfall rushing down through the gorge. Then we circled through the wood and returned to Kinloch Rannoch for a late lunch at the Community Venture shop by the petrol pump, for home-made leek and potato soup and lovely Stovies oh, and of course, plus a pot of tea and a laugh with the lady who served us. Then a leisurely motor down the glen back to Killiecrankie House where we arrived at around 2.30pm as the light began to fade into darkness. Night comes early in the Highlands in winter. Next morning there was a hoar frost everywhere and we were awakened by the cocker spaniel having a mad half-hour, rushing around the hedges in the grounds, from the side gardens to the vegetable garden and then the fruit garden and back again, so full of life it was exhausting to watch her.
Schiehallion, overlooking Loch Rannoch and the Coillie Dubh (the Black Wood ).
Killiecrankie House
After a wash and change it was time for a wee dram before dinner -
The day before yesterday we walked in the Black Wood above Loch Rannoch. It is part of both the Tay Forest and the old Caledonian Forest. Snow on the tops of Schiehallion and the mountains range of Glencoe, clearly visible down the loch and stark against the clear blue sky. Schiehallion was the nearest mountain and was also covered in whispy white cloud whipping off the top. In the sun it looked spectacular. Deep in the Black Wood there was a lovely, deep silence. The mushroomy, pine needly smell under the Scots Pines was deep and crisp. Icycles drooped from the upper branches and rain globules were in rows lower down, glistening in the sunlight. A Blackcock called from somewhere deep in the Black Wood. Siskins 'sissed' from the upper branches. A glimpse through the wood to the Loch showed a skein of Barnacle geese feeding by the lochside. The watchman goose eyed us suspiciously as if to ask.'What are you doing here; can't we feed in peace?' So we left them in peace and continued our walk in the wood. Then, in the deep silence of the forest there was a gradual roaring noise and then, through a gap there it was; a roaring waterfall rushing down through the gorge. Then we circled through the wood and returned to Kinloch Rannoch for a late lunch at the Community Venture shop by the petrol pump, for home-made leek and potato soup and lovely Stovies oh, and of course, plus a pot of tea and a laugh with the lady who served us. Then a leisurely motor down the glen back to Killiecrankie House where we arrived at around 2.30pm as the light began to fade into darkness. Night comes early in the Highlands in winter. Next morning there was a hoar frost everywhere and we were awakened by the cocker spaniel having a mad half-hour, rushing around the hedges in the grounds, from the side gardens to the vegetable garden and then the fruit garden and back again, so full of life it was exhausting to watch her.
Schiehallion, overlooking Loch Rannoch and the Coillie Dubh (the Black Wood ).Killiecrankie House
After a wash and change it was time for a wee dram before dinner -
Sunday, 23 December 2007
Sunday, 23 Dec-07. 4th of Advent again.
For some time now I have been having correspondence with an Anglican monastic Community down in north England. I am now recognised officially as a Probationer Companion of the Community of the Resurrection at Mirfield, West Yorkshire. My spiritual guide there and I use e-mail and websites to communicate with each other on this my further, spiritual journey. It's a laugh in that I wonder how monks of old would have thought of the new technology in their daily lives! Nonetheless, after years and years of professional discipline of seeing folk in psychoanalysis on the hour, every hour throughout the day and early evening I found that my prayer life had diminished - I had become too tired as I gave 'all' to my 'faithful' people. So, the monastic discipline of returning to the Daily Offices and a structured prayer life has become invaluable. Interestingly also, since 'retirement' ( I am still seeing a few folk professionally at home ) my work as Secretary to the Vestry at my church has become extremely busy, so linking with CR Mirfield has become so important in maintaining that balance of life.
Sunday, 23 Dec-07. Fourth Sunday of Advent
'O Little town of Bethlehem...' This lovely carol depicts a scene which supposedly has not changed since that night when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. However, the reality is that all is not what it seems. Very few Christians remain in Bethlehem and visitors cannot enter it due to the Israeli Occupying Army, backed by the USA. The last time a friend tried to visit this holy place she was sharply butted out of the way by the rifle of a soldier from Israel who probably was a Jew with no sympathy for the Christian visitors. She remonstrated with the young Israeli for his harshness and the fact that he had hurt her but he simply ignored her and went on to rifle butt other 'infidels' out of the way. They were all ordered to back off and go away - from Bethlehem! Well, because of the attitude of Israel I would never visit the Holy Land - leave it to the occupying forces I say.
The isolation of Israel would do much to bring it to its knees economically, but that won't happen as the USA must pour millions of their dollars into the Israeli economy each week in order that Bush can keep the Jewish vote in the USA and so keep him in office and at war with countries. If the USA, in its forthcoming new Administration were to stop shoring up Israel then perhaps we would all have a chance of peace in the Holy Land and a Palestinian State. Then also perhaps Christians and Muslims will return to live there side by side as they have always done.
Joseph and Mary were of course, homeless refugees on the Eve of the Nativity ( 'I was homeless and you took me in') until that kind laddie the Inn Keeper allowed them to use his stable. Glasgow is full of homeless people, and refugee camps throughout the Middle Eastern countries are full of Palestinians fleeing the brutal Israeli forces who punish whole populations for the terrorism of a few extremists ( it's all very OT - as well as OTT ). Then there are those here in Glasgow - friends, who cannot cope with Christmas at all They are depressed, crying, feeling homeless and hopeless; lost souls.
Pray for homeless folk everywhere, that they find hope and a Christian sense of being 'home', of feeling worthy, of feeling loved and cared for. Amen.
The isolation of Israel would do much to bring it to its knees economically, but that won't happen as the USA must pour millions of their dollars into the Israeli economy each week in order that Bush can keep the Jewish vote in the USA and so keep him in office and at war with countries. If the USA, in its forthcoming new Administration were to stop shoring up Israel then perhaps we would all have a chance of peace in the Holy Land and a Palestinian State. Then also perhaps Christians and Muslims will return to live there side by side as they have always done.
Joseph and Mary were of course, homeless refugees on the Eve of the Nativity ( 'I was homeless and you took me in') until that kind laddie the Inn Keeper allowed them to use his stable. Glasgow is full of homeless people, and refugee camps throughout the Middle Eastern countries are full of Palestinians fleeing the brutal Israeli forces who punish whole populations for the terrorism of a few extremists ( it's all very OT - as well as OTT ). Then there are those here in Glasgow - friends, who cannot cope with Christmas at all They are depressed, crying, feeling homeless and hopeless; lost souls.
Pray for homeless folk everywhere, that they find hope and a Christian sense of being 'home', of feeling worthy, of feeling loved and cared for. Amen.
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