A reflective pilgrim at Tintern Abbey From Monmouth PRiory to Tintern Abbey
The day began at Monmouth Priory with Esther de Waal sharing something of her background and how encountering the teachings and life of St. Benedict helped to release her from a more judgmental image of God, to one of a relationship of trust inspiring loving obedience. She told us of St. Benedict's three simple, yet incredibly challenging, rules for life and Christian discipleship.
Firstly, obedience through listening intently to the Voice and Word of God, so that one's obedience flows from a loving relationship rather than legalistic duty. Secondly, stability, standing still in the depths of the heart which enables the last discipline, continuing conversion and change, a desire always to move on with God and not to rely on past traditions. The morning ended with Bishop Dominic telling us how he tries to run the Diocese on St. Benedict's principles with varying degrees of success!
We then made our own way to Tintern Abbey where Esther pointed out particular features of the Abbey that held special spiritual significance; including the magnificent East Window, which as well as being a “triumph of architectural design”, speaks of the Eye (or Oculus) of God, which is ever on his people to protect them. Also pointed out were the 'bosses', which held the arches together. The attention to detail in the carvings of these stones, with recognisable leaf patterns, illustrates the monks desires, to do all for the Glory of God – their attention to detail being on the unseen as well as the seen.
The Benedictine Way was always earthed in the practical necessities of life, thus shown in the excellent drainage system, farming and technology of the day; the monks seeing manual labour, academic prowess, and a prayerful life, all of equal value and significance.
After twenty minutes of private reflection, we gathered for evening prayer led by Bishop Dominic. I found that sitting quietly in the church, during the evening service, touched me deeply. It seemed poignant that at the East Window, where the High Altar would have been, there were doves and swallows swooping around it. It put me in mind of the third verse of Psalm 84: “Even a sparrow has found a home and the swallow a nest for herself where she may have her young – a place near your altar.”
The whole day was very moving and challenging. Benedict may have been born 1500 years ago, but his spirituality is definitely contemporary.
Many thanks go to Judi Hattaway for organising this day and also to Esther de Waal and Bishop Dominic for making it such a rich treasure, something to dwell on in the coming days.
Heidi de Gruchy-Lambert