Big Silence

Our recent visit to the Borders, of Scotland allowed us to do the touristy bit. The ruins of abbeys are treasures waiting to be discovered. The monks of Melrose have left many traces to explore and savour. Here generations of faithful lived out their calling and left their marks. There are traces of a lively community and many little side chapels with their separate piscines - each a place for particular prayer. I was reminded that silence is a treasured part of monastic life.

Perhaps in an effort to seal out the rush and puff of everyday activity a wall was built between the religious enclosure and that of the lay people. I wondered what it would have been like living near the monastry in another age.

In the wall there is a doorway through which you would have had to pass get to the monks 'enclosure' - overhead as you cross the threshold there is this image ofChrist's face - reminding me of St Patrick's Breaastplate.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Recent mini series entitled 'The Big Silence' saw a handful of people, whose very busy lives meant they had little or no time to discover peace and quiet, introduced to silence first of Worth Abbey and then to the Retreat House of St Buenos. Each found refreshment and encounter.

The above average temperature, superb seasonal colours and glorious autumn sun were all combined to refresh and encourage this pilgrim.

Favourite Hymn

Which would you chose? Over the years there have been many favourites. Each special markers along the pathway of faith. One particularly is - O Jesus I have promised to serve thee to the end. The first line characterises the response to The Call.

As I moved to my last post I chose the terrific 21st century one - In Christ Alone - the words resonate with the ministry I was called to exercise in that place, as well as the move to this place.

In Christ Alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

It's taken time to see clearly the Hand of God in all that took place, and to be thankful for the experience. Yesterday we sang this song again in St Mary's on the Harbour. Minutes later I was greeted by a lovely manxwoman, visiting her sister here, who now lives close to our last Vicarage. New to that area, she has become very active in one of the prayer groups there. Jean brought greetings and encouragement from my many sisters there.

Unwelcome

Putting the word 'unwelcome' in my search engine I am given one option. 'Unwelcome guest' appears. Mmmm.

Last night at about 1.30am I was awoken. On the landing I could hear voices. They seemed very close, which is odd because we live upstairs and the noises are usually down on the pavement at ground level.

Then I saw them. There on the scaffolding and climbing from there onto the roof, talking all the time, were some men. What would you do? I went back to the bedroom and whispered loudly to the snoring mound in the bed. Returning to the open plan living room I clapped my hands loudly and shouted 'Get off my house, get off the scaffolding'. One of the characters gave me lip, but thankfully they climbed down and scarpered. Only then did I tremble. A moment or two later my knight in shining armour appeared!

There's a street light outside so when looking into the house at night would be fairly opaque, and I had the advantage. We really do need those curtains and be rid of scaffolding.

Phoning the police this morning I was asked why I waited til morning to do so? Reflecting as to why I'm reminded of encounters in a different neighbourhood.

Last night was unwelcome.

Update

There is a big difference between risso and bottlenose dolphins. The pod I spotted through my scope way out across the bay had been making their way down the eastern side of the island most of yesterday. It seems these were bottlenose which are winter visitors. Yesterday's weather was so tranquil and calm that their movements was watched by delighted people from the different vantage points down the coast. They were also a feature on Manx Radio which will have alerted many to their presence. All dolphins are majestic creatures which lift our spirits when we encounter them. Go to the Manx Whale and Dophin Watch to look at their pickies. http://www.mwdw.net/newsView.aspx