Dog walking

Dog walking is a great way of meeting people and enjoying getting to know them. This weekend, our labradoodle Sophy met another labradoodle, a cream one called Skippy, in Albert Park in Abingdon. Bertie, our 'Jackschund' thought Skippy was great; Sophy, being by nature 'Grand' wasn't much interested and soon raced off to chase squirrels. Skippy's owner was happy to chat to Julian and I all round the park. And next time, maybe ...

Limitations...

Having just had a few weeks recovering from being knocked out for about 5 minutes and the resultant concussion (beware, the hatchbook of a Picasso is dangerous if accidentally slammed down on someone's head!), I had the opportunity for part of that to just sit and be, enjoying time in contemplation of God and God's creation. I had nothing to do except keep the dogs company, as I couldn't even read for some of that time. It was like being on an involuntary retreat, and all the better for that! It caused a lot of re-organising for my colleagues at work, unfortunately, and now I am back to contacting people and re-scheduling appointments.

It reminds me that nothing is certain, all is provisional, and may change. We live in a fragile world. It also reminds me of the first few lines from T.S. Eliot's poem, Burnt Norton.

How to Pray by St Nilus

Chapter 2

A soul which is full of virtue and therefore pure has a mind which is habitually free from distractions and can receive the tranquillity it seeks.

Translated from the Greek by John de la Tour Davies.

Comment

Counsels of perfection!

Nilus's second chapter connects with his first, and again, notes the importance of the virtues for the life of prayer. Being in balance, emotionally, psychologically, even physically means that we are less likely to be distracted by the 'cares and riches and pleasures of this life' (Luke 8.14), for we are centred in Christ, rooted in the ground of God, rather than struggling to bear the fruit of tranquillity amid the thistles and thickets of our anxieties.

However, it seems to me that the issue is that for many people today it doesn't really help to encourage them to put their fears and concerns in a mental 'box', and try to be centred and serene. This is rather like saying '"Peace, peace!" where there is no peace.' It simply puts a plaster over a deep seated wound, and when you do that, problems can go on for ages!

What St Nilus is trying to do, I think, is refocus us on the virtues, and in particular, to encourage us to recall the words of Micah 6.8: 'And what does the Lord require of you, but to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.' So maybe if we ask, "What is the most just thing I can do?", and do it, then distractions won't be such a problem in our prayer.

St Nilus of Sinai on prayer

Chapter 1

If anyone wishes to prepare sweet smelling incense, he will, according to the Law, mix together equal amounts of myrrh, aromatic shell, galbanum and pure frankincense. These correspond to the four virtues, for if they happen to be overflowing and in balance, the mind will not have been opened up to the enemy.
Translated from the Greek by John de la Tour Davies.

Exodus 30.34; Wisdom 8.7; 4 Maccabees 1.18; Rev. 5.8 and 8.3

Nilus is refering to the composition of incense as laid out in the Book of Exodus. Galbanum is an umbellifer, the resin being obtained from its crushed stems and roots. It is used to enhance the effect of other perfumes.

The word translated 'aromatic shell' is onycha, which is actually the shell of a mollusc which, when burnt, gives off a sweet fragrance.




Incense is associated in the Bible with prayer, rising with the prayers of the saints, according to the Book of Revelation (see above).




The four virtues, of course, are those classically known as the cardinal virtues, derived by Saints Ambrose and Augustine from Plato's descriptions. They are

Prudence - able to judge between actions with regard to appropriate actions at a given time
Justice - proper moderation between the self-interest and the rights and needs of others
Restraint or Temperance - practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation
Courage or Fortitude .

Nilus, as a 5th century theologian, may have known the writings of the 4th century theologians, or he may have been thinking of Plato's original writings. Interestingly, Nilus notes the importance of 'balance', with each of the virtues having its place, being neither in excess or deficient, much as Aristotle defined the 'golden mean'; while 'overflowing' seems to indicate that the virtues are noteworthy in such a person, and that they are communicable to others.

What Nilus seems to be stressing in this his first of 153 short chapters on prayer, is that when a virtuous person prays, his or her mind is opened up to God, and not to the devil, who is the 'enemy'. Then, like Christ, such a person is able to listen to what God shows them, without being confused that such guidance may have another source.

So, if we want to grow in our ability to pray, and to listen to God in prayer - to discern the voice of God in our minds, we need also to be growing in the virtues.

Theology of education

The link leads to my latest thoughts on different approaches to a theology of education, written for my doctorate in theology and ministry. The picture shows me trying to get some wisdom!

Serious holes and how we handle them

Workmen arrived today, out of the blue(!), to put in a water meter. They dug a huge hole just by our gate. While they were digging the hole, they managed to fracture the gas main to our house. So they rang the gas board, got someone to come, and before he arrived, the water workmen drove off, leaving a barrier round the hole half blocking the entrance to our house. The gas man mended the pipe, but the hole in the footpath was seriously big, and as it was open to the elements, with the gas main visible, I was concerned that it could get broken again, and we could even have a gas leak or an explosion! (yeah - I know - worst case scenarios don't often happen in real life!) Anyway, eventually, after several hours and numerous phone calls later, including comments to the water board about damage to county council highways (my husband works for the council), an emergency team arrived to temporarily fill the hole, until they can come and connect a water meter properly.

Reflecting on this, it occurred to me that 'holes' can appear in our lives too, leaving us damaged and exposed. The death of a loved one can tear holes in us, as can other major losses, which aren't always acknowledged by friends and colleagues. It seems to me that such 'holes' needs careful handling if we are to avoid an 'explosion' of emotion, of anger or anguish. But do we really want them just filled in? Isn't that just like putting a plaster on an unhealed wound, leaving it vulnerable to infection? Sometimes, that's all we can do. But perhaps, there needs to be a safety valve too. Exploding to God seems to me to be one very apt way of handling grief - the way of Job, perhaps. After all, God is big enough to take it! Having a trusted spiritual director, prayer partner, or close friend to 'vent' to can be hugely valuable. We ministers need such outlets too, for our grief.

I guess the worse thing I could have done today would have been to pretend there was no hole there.

Nativity plays and their theology

The latest essay for my DMin is just finished! I've done a cultural studies type analysis on nativity plays and their embodied theology. I learnt so much, but only scratched the surface of all the reading I could have done, even though that meant over 25 references in the bibliography. It left me realising 2 things:
1. To do this DMin, I am having to get up to doctoral standard in at least 6 theological disciplines, with a bare 3 months to do so for each. I'm looking forward to the end of this year when my 6 assignments are done, and I can focus more in one area.
2. It's very clear that there is a dearth of empirical research in many areas of church life, and practically none at all about nativity plays.
Would I have chosen to look at these if I hadn't attended two last Christmas? Mmm - probably not. (see below)

Still, it was all good fun, and very mentally stimulating, so much so that now I feel as if my mind has turned into goo. One of my colleagues suggested that I start an Abingdon mystery play cycle since I had to learn so much about them for the essay. What an exciting idea! Then reality kicked in - perhaps I should start gently by finding a mystery play cycle to attend before tackling such a mammoth enterprise!