Week VI - Sending

 

Entry into stillness

O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you:

as the day rises to meet the sun.

 

Glory to God, Source of All,

Word of Truth, Breath of Life,

as it was in the beginning, is now, 

and shall be for ever. Amen. 

 

Canticle

Christ, as a light

illumine and guide me.

Christ, as a shield

overshadow me.

Christ under me;

Christ over me;

Christ beside me

on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me,

lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;

in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.

This day be within and without me,

lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light;

Christ as a shield;

Christ beside me

on my left and my right.  

                      (Northumbria Community)

 

Introduction to our saintly companion

We are focussing on GIVING this week, when others may be distracted by GIVING UP. Part of the ancient Christian tradition of Lent involved the giving of alms to those in need, reminding ourselves not only of the needs of others but also our own need for others. 

 

Lent is about assessing what we really need

to survive - and thrive - and what is getting

in the way, or surplus to requirement. In a

society driven by consumption, Lent offers

us a chance to build our resilience against

the cult of acquisition. 

 

Columbanus (c. 543-615)

Columbanus, or Saint Columban, born c. 543 Leinster, Ireland - died 615, Bobbio, Italy. Abbott and writer, one of the greatest missionaries of the Celtic church, who initiated a revival of spirituality on the European continent.

 

Educated in the monastery of Bangor, County Down, Columbanus left Ireland about 590 with 12 monks (including Saints Attala, Gall, and Columbanus the Younger) and established himself in the Vosges Mountains at Annegray, then in Gaul. For the disciples who came to follow his rule, Columbanus built the nearby monasteries of Luxovium and Fontaines.

 

Unpopular because of his attacks on degeneracy in the Burgundian court and among local clergy, he was indicted before a synod of French bishops (c. 603) for keeping Easter according to the Celtic usage, whereupon he wrote Pope Gregory I for aid. A powerful conspiracy was organized against him at the court of King Theodoric II. Forcibly removed from his monastery at Luxovium (c. 610), he went with Gall and other monks to Switzerland, where he preached to the Alemanni, a pagan Germanic people. Compelled to leave, he went to Italy and founded the monastery of Bobbio (c. 612–614).

 

Columbanus’ works include poems, letters, sermons, a rule, and a penitential, proving him a man of learning acquainted with Latin and Greek classics; his writings were edited by G.S.M. Walker, with an introduction and English translation (1957).

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Listening to Scripture     Luke 10: 1-12

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road.

 

Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.” I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.

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Waiting for the Word

We spend some time reflecting and listening for the Word. 

 

Practicing Lent

This week why not:

 

Blessing

Circle us, Lord

Keep strife without, keep peace within;

keep fear without, keep hope within;

keep pride without, keep trust within;

keep evil out, keep good within.

May we walk in the hope of your 

presence;

fill us with your light and love;

be with us all through this day

Source, Word and Spirit.

 

Further reading