Ecosse

Thursday 6th May, 2021

Although not excited by it I do realise that today is Election Day. Here in Scotland I fear the outcome as I would hate to see the United Kingdom broken up. I was sorry to leave the EU and understand the Scots's desire to go back to membership yet I cannot decide if membership of the UK or EU is the better option.

I went off at 9.40 to Mass being warned that the weather was full of all things wet and cold. Only six people were there. I was asked to read the first reading from The Acts of the Apostles. It was about the Council of Jerusalem. How to receive converts from paganism in to the fold. Did they have to follow the Jewish rituals such as circumcision? In the end it was decided to try to make things not too hard. It reminded me of the Rule of St Benedict where he writes that he does not ordain anything harsh or burdensome. I then thought that any society, any group will have conflicting views and ideas, so there ever needs to be a mechanism of resolution. Even families disagree and I did hear that families had divided harshly over the question of Brexit. Here in Scotland the idea of Independence is also divisive and causing anger and fury.

At 13.15 I drove over to Lochee in Dundee to visit my Indian guru and his wife. We are now allowed to meet in cafes. There is one near them and we agreed to meet at 14.00. I arrived early and popped in to Aldi as they have bars of chocolate for 30p. I bought three and devoured one. I simply cannot resist. We met and I noted the harassed man behind the counter. He was working alone. He had to ensure people filled in forms, sat at designated tables, had their orders delivered to them. He had to clear up and keep himself disinfected. He did well. I gave him a £10 note and to my horror he said he could not accept it as it was paper! It was part of the stash I found hidden away recently. I will have to go to a bank...I hope I am not too late! Ugh! Only plastic now is acceptable!

A great conversation. My guru went on about ridding Christianity of dogma and denomination and how we should be one in Christ. I told him of the reading re the Council of Jerusalem and how we would always have disagreements and needed an authority or hierarchy to guide, decide, advise and ultimately determine what is the way we go, how we practise and ultimately what is acceptable. Rod Dreher says divorced persons should not be part of a Christian group, nor gays, nor transgendered etc unless repentant and living good clean lives. Yet what of forgiveness, understanding and compassion and what of Jesus saying he came to call sinners? Not easy! The talk was good, so good but no resolution.

The snow came down followed by sleet as I returned. It was cold and harsh so I have not gone for a walk today but am now hunkering down for a siesta. The bar of chocolate has corrupted me and I feel replete. I need to settle the many thoughts, ideas, fears and contradictions in my own mind. How is one to be a true follower of Christ? How to resolve dilemmas? Only silence and prayer does that and a faith that believes God loves me absolutely.