Reflective space 12 9th June 2020

2nd Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 100

Exodus 19.2-8a; Romans 5.1-8

Matthew 9.35-10.8(9-23)

Be Aware of God’s Presence (from Iona Abbey liturgy)

Thanks be to you, O God, that we have risen this day,

To the rising of life itself.

Be the purpose of God between us and each purpose, The hand of God between us and each hand.

The pain of Christ between us and each pain, The Love of Christ between us and each love.

O God who brought us to the bright light of this new day,

Bring us to the guiding light of eternity.

St Columba’s Day

The 9th of June is remembered as St Columba’s Day, recognising the Irish monk who travelled to Iona and was a major player in the spreading of the Christian Faith across the land. He was at the heart of a faith shaped around the common life, of God’s presence where people lived and worked, where family life heard heaven’s voice, and where wor-ship was celebrated in the tasks and trades of the daily round and not confined to the holy buildings, even if it was an astonishing Abbey refurbished and rebuilt down the centuries. Although some people live and work in the present Ab-bey and island, the Iona Community is itself a dispersed body of people living and working around the world but sharing in common prayer, spiritual life, participating in local and global causes of justice and peace, and who also seek to share their possessions. An imperfect group of people, but who share a common goal of seeking to live out Christ’s call to live the faith where they are. The Celtic monks carried little with them in their wander-ings their voyages, and their pilgrimages. Perhaps there was a bell, and certainly a book. In its own leather satchel would be a precious copy of the Gospels or the psalms, often written out by their own hand. They carried this book. And they opened it. For though it was in itself a precious thing, it was also a way of learning about God.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him,

and without him not one thing came into being.” (John 1)

‘All things came into being through him.’ And for Celtic Christians, the whole world was ‘charged with the gran-deur of God’. In storm, snow and days of gentle sunshine, day after day and in the depths of the starry night, intricate and beauti-ful, powerful and mysterious, another book opened: the ‘great book’ of God’s creation. Within creation they carried and read the ‘little book’ – the Bible – not less important, but simply something that human hands could hold. And that was enough for them … … “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matthew 10.16 The little book was their guide through the great book. Columba’s legacies are many, but perhaps this sense of living out The Word in the midst of Creation is central. To follow Christ in our daily lives, wherever that may be is the essential call of Jesus. We may require special buildings, holy islands, sacred spaces. We may even re-quire religious artefacts, liturgies, furnishing, and leaders, but only that they nourish and nurture people of faith who, in community, however dispersed, share the gospel of love and life.

Today’s reading From Matthew 10.9-14

“Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts,

no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for labourers deserve their food.

Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is wor-thy, and stay there until you leave.

As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy,

let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake

off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town.”

Amen.

Nessie goes into Hiding!

The earliest report of a monster associated with the vi-cinity of Loch Ness appears in a Life of St. Columba by Adomnán, written in the 7th century. He tells the story of Columba staying in the land of the Picts with his companions when he came across the locals burying a man by the River Ness. They explained that the man had been swimming the river when he was attacked by a "water beast" that had mauled him and dragged him under. They tried to rescue him in a boat, but were able only to drag up his corpse.

Hearing this, Columba stunned the Picts by sending one of his followers to swim across the riv-er. The beast came after him, but Columba made the sign of the Cross and commanded: "Go no further. Do not touch the man. Go back at once."

The beast immediately halted as if it had been "pulled back with ropes" and fled in terror, and both Columba's men and the pagan Picts praised God for the miracle. And that is why no one has ever seen the Loch Ness Monster since!

Nettle Soup

Rumour has it that one day, while Columba was out for a stroll enjoying the beauty and tranquillity of Iona, he came across a woman gathering nettles to make some soup, as her cow had not yet calved. Reflecting on this, Columba decided that he too would eat only nettle soup. He said, ‘If this woman eats nettles in expectation of a calf, how much more should I in expectation of Christ’s kingdom.’ The monk, who cooked Columba’s food, was worried for his beloved Abbot’s health, so he added milk to the reci-pe. The abbot adored the nettle soup, and urged other people to eat it too, but as they did not have an endless supply of milk, they soon ran out. The cook was in a bit of a stew (get it?) and soon returned to Columba to con-fess that he was supplementing extra ingredients into the meal. Columba only laughed when he heard this, and said, ‘It is God’s joke on me. It was only pride that led me to tell others of my special diet, so I deserved to be tricked.’ There are always many stories created about great men and women. And we end up not knowing which ones are really true, but they are told to spread the news about how special they were, not about how perfect they were.

Were I the Perfect Child of God By John Bell, Iona Community

Were I the perfect child of God

whose faith was deep and love was broad, not doubtful, guilty, worn or flawed,

I’d gladly follow Jesus.

But I’m the child of what I’ve been estranged by much I’ve done and seen,

afraid to show the love I mean, unfit to follow Jesus

Yet God, who knows me first and last,

who’s seen my best, my worst, my past, has shown his love intense and vast

by meeting me in Jesus.

For Christ, though killed at Calvary by sins like mine and folk like me

has risen, forgiven and set me free, made fit to follow Jesus.

(verses for a baptism or confirmation

or to remember our own)

Then sprinkle water on my brow as, in this place, I make my vow to own and love my saviour now

and give myself to Jesus.

God grant me what I still require that I, in others, might inspire

the hidden hope, the deep desire to love and follow Jesus.

Legends of Columba

Columba's Blessing

St. Columba gave this blessing to his monks about to leave the security of the Abbey on Iona.

God be with you in every pass; Jesus be with you on every hill;

Spirit be with you on every stream, headland, ridge and law,

each sea and land, each moor and meadow, lying down and rising up, in the trough of the waves

or on the crest of the billow. Each step of the journey you go,

go with God. Amen.

to say or sing

Psalm 100 From CH4. 63: The Scottish Psalter, 1929

All people that on earth do dwell,

sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell,

come ye before him and rejoice.

Know that the Lord is God indeed; without our aid he did us make; we are his folk, he doth us feed,

and for his sheep he doth us take.

Oh, enter then his gates with praise, approach with joy his courts unto:

praise, laud, and bless his name always, for it is seemly so to do.

For why? the Lord our God is good,

his mercy is for ever sure; his truth at all times firmly stood, and shall from age to age endure.

to pray by Kevin Scott

Creator God,

we give thanks for your world and everything in it. For where we live.

The rolling green hills and the swift running rivers. The birds and animals that surround us.

Your glory, in Creation, that blesses us, each day.

We give thanks this Whipman week for our community.

For silhouettes that gladden hearts. For peace and security.

For simple acts of kindness and care. For the love that binds us together.

We think of those displaced

from their homes and communities. Who live each day filled with uncertainty,

Who live each day filled with fear, Who live each day shrouded in darkness.

We pray that their situations would be transformed, and that they also could know

peace, security, joy, and the light of your love.

Loving God,

you made us all in your own image. to your glory.

Yet we all know, of the separating prejudice

that can lie deep in the heart of man, that often sees first the colour of the skin.

– and judges.

We pray Lord, That you would raise up our eyes

and of all mankind, to see not the colour of the skin,

but to see you in each other’s eyes. And that together,

across our nation and the world, all would join to heal the separating scar

of racism.

Amen.

West Linton, Carlops, Newlands, Lamancha & Kirkurd Community resilience groups and Newlands Dev. Trust

have now teamed up to provide one central freephone num-ber to contact should you need assistance.

As we move through the phases of the Scottish Govern-

ment route map more people may find themselves having to self isolate for 14 days. Thankfully we have a great num-

ber of volunteers to assist. Whether it is shopping, food delivery, a post office trip,

dog walking or just a friendly chat - please ask.

In addition there is the local foodbank and counselling ser-vice.

Scottish Borders Council also have their central communi-

ty assistance hub where they can direct you to the most appropriate help. 0300 100 1800

A ZOOM COMMUNION

On Sunday 28th June @ 11am

Having decided with your Session Clerks and Worship Leaders to hold a joint Zoom Service with our three linkage congregations, it seems appropriate that we

share communion on that day.

You may wonder how we can practically, theologically, liturgically, or spiritually share in such a special sacrament. I can assure you, I wondered too!

But, as the weeks have passed, and having thought,

conversed, and prayed about it, there seems little doubt that something we traditionally share as a sign of God’s love and grace was never intended to be confined to a

building, trays of wine, or delivery of communion cards.

This is the day and time and situation in which we find ourselves and perhaps never before seeking God’s

presence, guidance and grace with such sincere desire.

Having shared in such a Communion this week with col-leagues from all around Scotland led by the Moderator,

its simplicity, sincerity, and sense of fellowship was deeply moving. I hope you might discover that.

You will be invited to join in the Zoom service as usual,

and have to hand either for yourself, as a couple, or as a family, a glass of wine or juice, and a piece of bread.

We will share words of the Lord’s Supper and eat and drink together, even if virtually, certainly spiritually.

For those who are uncertain, please still join the service, for even if the sharing of bread and wine in such a setting

does not feel appropriate for you, the fellowship, the words, and the worship together is for everyone.

Note the different start time that day!