St Cuthbert’s Day
Cuthbert is aware that the hour of fulfilment of his prophecy to Aelfflaed concerning her brother, King Ecgfrith, is drawing near. So he goes to Carlisle to be with the queen, to be with her when it happens. As it happens, he is on a tourist trip round the city (still worth a visit, incidentally), when the event takes place. What is especially interesting here, though, is the manner in which he senses the battle and the king’s death: the whole of creation shudders, although only Cuthbert can feel it, being so close to it through his life of prayer. It brings to mind St Paul’s description in Romans 8 of creation groaning, waiting for the redemption of the children of God.
Healing on the Sabbath (again), weddings and banquets. But who is invited? It turns out, everyone. But who will come? Only those who know their need. Reminds me of RS Thomas wonderful little poem, The Kingdom:
It’s a long way off but inside it
There are quite different things going on:
Festivals at which the poor man
Is king and the consumptive is
Healed; mirrors in which the blind look
At themselves and love looks at them
Back; and industry is for mending
The bent bones and the minds fractured
By life. It’s a long way off, but to get
There takes no time and admission
Is free, if you will purge yourself
Of desire, and present yourself with
Your need only and the simple offering
Of your faith, green as a leaf.
1 comment
Amen.
Thank you.