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.

Ahead of the Storm

One look at the Shipping Forecast on the web and you know we are in the calm before the storm. Out this morning there is almost an eerie silence despite the hustle and bustle of the little town. I have posted the warning for Irish Sea, the forecast for the south coast, has possiblity of violent storm 11:

Gale warnings - Issued: 1001 Fri 13 Nov
Southerly storm force 10 expected soon

Shipping Forecast - Issued: 1130 Fri 13 Nov
Wind: South 6 to 8, becoming cyclonic gale 8 to storm 10, becoming west 6 to gale 8 later.
Sea State: Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate.
Weather: Rain or squally showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good occasionally poor.

As a consequence of the forecast Inspiration of Boss and her crew have made their way, very early this morning ahead of the weather, to their home port safely.

Here Wizzy is having an early walk, and we await the arrival of more moisture across the floorboards under the window.

A prayer for those who have to be on the high seas from Mission to Seafarers website:

Creator and Father of all,
we pray for those who go down to the sea in ships
and serve you upon the waters of the world.
Be with them in fair weather and foul,
in danger or distress.
Strengthen them when they are weary
and comfort them when they are far from their loved ones;
that they may put their whole trust in you
and find in you a strong anchor for their peace.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

http://www.missiontoseafarers.org/

We will remember them

There is a time for everything ... so we read in Ecclesiastes 3. On Remembrance Sunday, we give thanks for all who have made the ultimate sacrifice. I am moved by television news coverage of those who make their final journey through the town of Wootton Bassett. The people of this small town stand in silence to pay their respects to our fallen. These young men and women return, not to the bosom of their families but, to be laid to rest in home soil. Wootton Bassett remind us that we live in Great Britain.
I pray that, as the family and friends grieve for their loved ones, the seed of hope will be planted in hearts.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

The chattering of everyday life can become a cacophony. Just stop, in silence, to remember and give thanks for them.

http://www.firstworldwar.com/poetsandprose/binyon.htm