Mtr Mary Trainor

Between God and the soul there is no between.
                                                               --Julian of Norwich

Dear friend,

I think the mystic Julian of Norwich and the Gospel of John today speak to one another, and to us. God is never far, in fact, we are one with God. We do not accomplish this; God does, in myriad ways that surround us, encompass us, enfold us--at all times. If I ever fear distance between me and God--which I have--i have found it is of my own making. God dwells in my being to be greeted again, having never actually gone away.

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John’s Gospel today wraps up Chapter 6, which began with Jesus feeding the 5,000, walking on water, and talking about the bread of heaven. Discussion of the latter continues in our verses today.

“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life,” Jesus says in Verse 54. Even his own followers were among those puzzled, grumbling, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” Then, we hear in Verse 66: “Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.”

Jesus then turns to the twelve who stayed.

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The “difficult teaching” was about what we know as communion, where we meet Jesus at the altar rail in body and blood. We bring ours--to receive his.

Even today, though, there are differences of thought among Christians about exactly what transpires in the consecration of bread and wine. Some say the bread and wine literally become body and blood. Others believe that, in some way we cannot explain, Jesus is present to us in the sacrament of bread and wine. And we are all welcome to partake of Jesus in this transformative event, or perhaps to encounter Jesus within.

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While Saint Cuthbert does not appear in the current Holy Women, Holy Men, he was included in the Episcopal Church’s prior Lesser Feasts and Fasts for March 20. His story also continues in Celebrating the Saints.

The monastic Cuthbert arrived at the monastery on Lindisfarne and, about two years prior to his death, became its Bishop. There was constancy that ran through his ministry, one of patience and forbearance with monks who didn't take to new ways. At meetings, Cuthbert was nearly worn down by insults, to such a degree he would calmly depart. The next day he arrived cheerful and listening, to  again approach the men, who eventually saw things his way. “It was clear to everyone that it was the Holy Spirit within giving [Cuthbert] strength to smile at attacks from without.”

Cuthbert’s dying words on March 20, 687, are a testament of peace: “Always preserve divine charity among yourselves, and when you come together to discuss your common affairs, let your principal goal be to reach a unanimous decision."
We might call this “consensus.” Depending on where you stand, this might look selling out or it might look like “win-win.” It’s a viable approach--much like Cuthbert’s--that doesn’t leave losers on the outside of grace.

Mtr Mary