Son Rise

I was laid low at Easter with a virulent bug. No matter. Holy Island Easter pilgrims sang this Westlife song and Rob O’Gorman in Canada sent the Easter message that follows:

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,

Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up... To more than I can be.

***

Rob blogged the 19th century story of old Barbara MacPhie, who once lived near Dreimsdale, Scotland. “The glorious gold-bright sun was after rising on the crests of the great hills, and it was changing colour - green purple, red, blood-red, white, intense white, and gold-white, like the glory of the God of the elements to the children of men. It was dancing up and down in exultation at the joyous resurrection of the beloved Saviour of victory. To be thus privileged, a person must ascend to the top of the highest hill before sunrise, and believe that the God who makes the small blade of grass to grow is the same God who makes the large, massive sun to move.”

Rob reflects: "This was the kind of vision which looks ever deeper into nature, detecting the Holy living energies and presences which were at once physical and spiritual, which suffused the ‘landscape’. It was an ‘imaginal’ experience par excellence, and I believe that the sun which Mrs. Macphie saw was very real. But it wasn’t the sun of the astronomers, nor of common observation; rather it is the eternal sun within the sun, the eternal living glory of the Risen Christ which came ‘dancing’ through. It is this joy, of a redeemed Creation (of which we are central), through the ‘Son Behind the Sun’ which I wish to you and to all whom you hold dear.

Dancing With the Sonrise, (Brendan) Rob O’Gorman