Category: Speaking to the Soul

In our reading from 1 Samuel today, Samuel warns the people what they will get if they choose a king to rule over them rather than choosing God’s rule. The king will have retainers and advance men, laborers for his benefit and for the means of war, luxuries and prime real estate, the best of everything and a piece of everyone’s possessions. The ruler will disburse his wealth and power among his own class, among the wealthy and powerful.

In the Gospels we watch a Christ who, in dismissing certainties, shows us what freedom might mean. We watch the way in which he enters into people’s lives and dissolves an existing situation, whatever it might be.

Contention cannot be said to be evil, when each disputes for such objects (as here) and with just reason. I grant you, if the exasperation were in seeking his own, and contending for his own honor, this might well be (reproved):

In Baptism Adam found again

that glory that was among the trees of Eden.

He went down, and received it out of the water;

he put it on, and went up and was adorned therein.

Any account of Celtic monasticism must become an account far more of persons than of institutions. It revolves around the achievements of men and women who have become known to us for the dedication of their lives.