Advent 3 - slaughter of innocents

Having kept Herod in Christmas, I really want all this to go away.... it is too tragic and devastating for words ..... Having read about Herod and 'The Slaughter of the Innocents' Matt. 2:17-18: That same cry in now heard in Peshawar “A voice was heard in Peshawar, weeping and loud lamentation, weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Peshawar school attack: Massacre of the innocents born of ambivalence towards Taliban

It was a massacre of the innocents. Every report must admit this – because it’s true. But it is not the whole truth.   independent.co.uk

 

 

 

I'm still in the darkness of the 'slaughter of the innocents' ... trying to move on. The International Carol Service was a glimmer of hope for me, esp with Padre Rana sharing from a Pakistani perspective about Mary's humility and wisdom that led to life and the wise men's folly that led to death (through involving Herod in the story) . Today we had a prayer vigil with the Pakistani community in Jubilee square and I shared a little of standing together against violence and how this can only be done one person at a time, heart to heart - diye se diya jelao - One light lights another. In the meantime a page from my journal.....

 

 

Leaving Lindisfarne: St Aidan as guide

At the end of our retreat we were invited to 'throw an image out into the future to guide us' (Carl Jung) 

I had been working on a pastel sketch, so this became my image -  St Aidan to guide me (based on the Statue in the grounds of St. Mary the Virgin, next to the Priory)  
I've taken the 4 headings from Ray Simpson's booklet: Give yourself a (Re)treat on Lindisfarne   St Aidan Press 1998) section 2 'figure out St Aidan'

 

1 the face - gentle, humble, winsome, of stature and vision

his personality and character - described by Bede as a man of 'peace and love, purity and humility'
He was called by Bishop Lightfoot of Durham ' The Apostle of England' 

2 the torch - a passion to pass on faith to everyone one meets

He set up schools for court members and freed slaves, trtaininig indigenous priests; mission stations which were local focused and led, scriptorium producing books and churches ....... 

3 the staff - a shepherd's faithfulness
  
he preferred to walk so he was at the same level as ordinary folk and could easily talk to them.  He also used his priestly authority (symbolised by the staff) to check the proud and powerful, he tenderly comforted the sick, he relieved and protected the poor....  
 
4  the cross - a protecting and encircling shield at one's back

The Celtic Cross 'The circle is the world made one in the cross of Christ. The cross is not just for the church but for the whole world'
  
Aidan left behind churches in Essex (St Peters Beadwell-on-sea); Lashingham in N Yorks  and his disciples traveled far and wide : Wilfred to the South Saxons of Sussex, Holland and Belgium; Hilda of Whitby; Chad - bishop of Mercia, Lindsay of Litchfield, Wilfred & the Abbey of Hexham and Rippon 

Leaving Lindisfarne: 
  

'God of our Pilgrimage you have fed us with the bread of heaven. 
Refresh and sustain us as we go forth on our journey'

Leave me alone with God 

as much as may be. 

As the tide draws the waters

 close in upon the shore 

make me an island, set apart, 

alone with you, God , holy to you.

Then with the turning of the tide

prepare me to carry our presence

to the busy world beyond, 

the world that rushes in on me

til the waters come again

and fold me back to you

Prayer of St Aidan of Lindisfarne