Possessed by Possessions?

Cuthbert was becoming somewhat well-known in the country. People came not only from Lindisfarne, but from all over Britain to see the man of whom the rumours spoke. Stories of his wisdom, his counselling, and his prayers for healing were rife. 

Many found in Cuthbert a soul-friend: one in whom they could confide in and speak about the deep things of life. Cuthbert would gently assure them of God’s great love for them. People travelled for miles to make their confession to Cuthbert, in the hope they could get guidance from this holy man. Nor were they disappointed: Cuthbert was on the side of the downtrodden, the poor and the weak. Yet he never shrank from putting the things of God to those who visited. For Cuthbert, there was a balance to be sought between the things of this world and the things eternal.

Despite his growing celebrity, Cuthbert held no desire for wealth, preferring instead to help those who could offer nothing in return. He spoke of people becoming possessed by their possessions, thinking back no doubt to his previous possessiveness of his barley and thatch. Rather, he counselled others to pursue a life of service to others, and found no higher virtue than the giving up of one’s own will to dedicate oneself to the will of the community and the will of Almighty God. He remembered with fondness Boisil, his old friend and mentor, and after sharing his counsel would withdraw to his cell, resting together with God in silence and stillness.

Opening Prayer

Dear God,
I am so afraid
to open my clenched fists!
Who will I be
when I have nothing left to hold on to?
Who will I be
when I stand before you with empty hands?
Please help me
to gradually open my hands
and to discover
that I am not what I own,
but what you want to give me.
And what you want to give me
is love,
unconditional, everlasting love.
Amen.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, I give You thanks for the children of this school. I pray that as each child grows, they will grow in love. Allow them to know what is right and wrong so they will not hurt others or sin against You. I pray that their hearts will be compassionate towards others, as You are Lord. As they grow allow them to be kind to one another, tender hearted and forgiving one another, this we pray in Jesus name, Amen.