Today’s post is from Paula who volunteers at Catching Lives with Sheila. She first appeared on our blog in a post entitled, “Have You Heard The One About The Nun and The Atheist?“, and has kindly contributed some guest posts since. Here’s her latest:
A few nights ago I was thinking of Sheila’s impending mountain climb. It came to me that there are various stories of mountains in the Bible. I offered to do another blog so here it is – a reflection on mountains.
I guess we are all familiar with the story of Moses and his encounter with God on Mount Sinai. Exodus 20: 1-21 We associate it with the giving of the Ten Commandments, which – when all is said and done – is a simple charter for human living:
- The charter begins with the honouring of our God. Often we try to cut down God to a manageable size instead of simply bowing to the mystery.
- Keeping holy the Sabbath – a very practical commandment for taking time off. It’s even recommended that we give our work animals time off too!
And so it goes on – very practical and human – dealing with respect for parents and the elderly, loving other people, being content with what we have.
More than the message of Sinai, I love a quote from Jeremiah where he says,
“Deep within them I will plant my law, writing it on their hearts. There will be no further need for neighbour to try to teach neighbour or brother (or sister) to say: ‘Learn to know Yahweh’” Jeremiah 31:33-34
I am always moved by the fact that each one of us is so unique and beloved of God, and that His word or spark is written on each of our hearts, whether we know it or not.
Another mountain story I love is that of the Beatitudes Matthew 5: 1-12. Again this is a great social charter pointing out our obligation to all God’s people. Here we are reminded that the poor are blessed. It always reminds me of my African trip and how happy the people were with so little. The poor, the bereaved, the hungry, those who suffer injustice – all are called blessed.
My next mountain story is that of the transfiguration Luke 9: 28-36 This is the story of Jesus’ encounter with his God. It speaks of transformation. His disciples were beside themselves and didn’t know what to make of it. However they did want to stay in that sacred place for ever – only Jesus was having none of that – back down the mountain to get on with the ordinary business of living. Hopefully they would remember this incident when their friend was crucified. They didn’t of course…….
It’s these moments in our lives when we are transformed, that we need to put in our memory boxes for when the times are difficult. We all have had them. We often witness this transformation in others: in the faces of delighted little children, in the faces of those we love, in the faces of the elderly, looking at a place of beauty or a sun set, just to mention a few. Often they are momentary – I guess our human psyche couldn’t cope with too much intense wonder.
My last mountain story is that of Jesus’s death on Calvary: John 19. What can I say about this mountain of intense suffering? Jesus died for being faithful to what he believed. For him it was a question of personal integrity – and that cost him his life. In some mysterious way His death became redemptive – not only for him, but for us all and the whole of creation. Not everyone would hold with this and I respect that. However we have all met people of such integrity – and Sheila is one of them.
I shall think of Sheila as she climbs her mountain. I believe she has climbed all these symbolic mountains throughout her life. She is a woman who lives from her heart – a woman of compassion and of wonder. Whatever life has thrown at her she has transformed into wisdom of heart.
In climbing this next mountain of life, remember you are surrounded and enfolded in love as you do so.
Note from Sheila: I am so proud to have Paula as my friend and respect her enormously. Despite the fact that we are not believers, she continues to care about Jae, Oscar and me, always asking about how our plans are going for our Kilimanjaro climb and telling me that she mentions us in her prayers. She has never made me feel that my lack of belief is wrong, or that I am diminished by it, which is very different from so many experiences I have had in the past. Thank you for your support and friendship, Paula.