A message from The Rev’d Lyn McRostie, Rector of Northwood.

Posted by Admin on 20 May 2011, 12:00 am

Have you read the book “Eat, Pray, Love” or perhaps seen the film which stars Julia Roberts? It’s about one woman’s spiritual journey, the people she meets along the way and the conversations she has with them and with God. One conversation particularly caught my attention. It was about words. The author and her companion were discussing words to describe cities of the world, trying to find one word to summarize each city. (If you’re a Portsmouth or Southampton football supporter, then I suspect certain words have already sprung to mind however I’d encourage you to think of some other characteristic that summarizes the city). Elizabeth Gilbert herself chose “achieve” for New York and “succeed” for Los Angeles. What might you choose for London, Manchester or Edinburgh.

Inevitably, the conversation moved on to choosing a word for oneself – a much harder task and one with which she struggled, reflecting on it for several weeks before deciding she knew what words to reject but not what to accept. Is it the same for you? Have you ever tried this exercise or done something similar? It’s not easy but it can take us down some intriguing paths.

The author of John’s Gospel was very clear about his word for Jesus Christ; he called simply “The Word”. A modern translation (The Message) says this: “The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one. Everything was created through him; nothing – not one thing! – came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out. … The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.”

As you think about the words you might choose, whether they be for cities, friends, yourselves, I pray that you will find the Word of God alongside and that you will grow in the love and knowledge of this Word.

Lyn

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Do you know of someone who would appreciate a visit by the church? Or would you, yourself, like to meet and talk with someone from the church? Please let Lyn know or contact one of the Churchwardens whose details are given in Northwood News and in the Parish Church Officers section of this website.

We’re happy to meet with you, to bring communion to you if you cannot come to church – or to explore with you if you just want to know more about the Christian faith. We are always here for you – because that’s what we’re about!