Good Morning my Friends,
I hope you have managed to bring a smile to someone’s face already today.
If things had been different, I would be into week three of my Camino from Porto in Portugal to Santiago in Northen Spain, walking all the way. I can’t tell you how much I am missing that experience, but another day, and we shall give it a go.
On our previous Caminos we have thought of an intention to dwell on each day. Some word or concept that we have allowed to float through our minds, just to see how it unfolded.
The beautiful thing about any sort of pilgrimage is the journey, and the ability just to focus on doing that, and not to try and solve all the problems of the world. And for those who have the gift of faith, to be aware that we walk with Christ beside us.
So, my little intention today, as we walk through this short letter is to think about St Duntsan, who we remember today. I think I like Dunstan because he came from Glastonbury where they have such great festivals, and he became a priest and a monk in the service of God.
He was commissioned to restore Monastic Like in Glastonbury, and from there grew the revival of organized monasticism in England.
Not only was he a great reformer and spiritual leader and spiritual friend to many, but a holy man who loved music and song. Also he was recognised as being great at metalwork, and as a bell founder. He became Archbishop of Canterbury in 959.
Practical, Spiritual, Musical and by all accounts a gentle master.
So, having shared that little bio with my fellow pilgrims we would have wandered through the day pondering what his life might inspire in us.
I know where my mind would have taken me. I would have linked his love of music and song with the modern day festivals of Glastonbury and elsewhere, and I would have dwelt on his practical crafting skills and remembered the ‘Making Workshops’ I used to organise for the Festivals in my last two parishes. How I love those big events that focus on building a sense of community and spirituality by using the gifts that people have to create an atmosphere of real enjoyment and inclusion.
Beach Dreams Festival on Shoreham Beach attracted thousands of participants, many of who were involved in the planning, preparation and delivery of a week of different events in a huge marquee, and a weekend carnival style celebration of Music, Arts and Drama, all revolving around a wonderful Celebration of the Eucharist in the marquee on the Sunday Morning.
What I like about reflecting on St Dunstan is that it reminds us that whatever our gifts or talents, whatever the things that make sense to us, whatever makes people laugh, and realise that they are surrounded by joy and beauty, we can us those things to bring folk together, to create a sense of belonging, a sense of community, an sense of welcome and we can embrace our great diversity, and in doing so, it is possible to see the presence of God at work.
If things were different, in a few days I would have reached Santiago. But in reality the journey is never over, and that is the best thing. So, Thank you Dunstan, and as we like to say when we pretend we are cool ‘Rock On!’
Until next time,
Bless you, Bless you, Bless you,
Fr Marcus