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| Encounter at Dawn |
Meditation: Matthew 28:1-11 with ‘Encounter at Dawn’ art installation
Notes from my journal Sunday 25th
January 2009:
St. Beuno’s retreat centre, North Wales.
11.30am: have had the most wonderful
walk up to the top of the hill this morning – wet and muddy underfoot – windy,
but dry otherwise. As I walked I was aware of the two grieving Mary’s of the
gospel – and at the same time of the steep little back road in shadow on this bright morning. Turning to take in the view and to rest, the
A55 ribboned across the valley and for the first time I noticed a river, flat
and lazy meandering its way through fields on the way to the sea. Both the road
and the river had places of hiddenness in their lengths. Continuing on my walk,
encircling the hill, coming to the summit in a roundabout oblique way, there
were interruptions of stiles and gates. It was a welcome solitary walk with
breath-taking views of hill and valley, farms, sheep, villages, sky, sky and
more sky! Clouds were rolling in and in the distance, there were signs of rain.
Standing on the top, encircled by light and space, I gave thanks and turned to
leave – finding directly ahead, a rainbow above the bay – heaven touching earth
– all the colours present – pure gift! My descent from the top of the hill had
energy – a light step with a clear head and my body energised and refreshed.
4.25pm: Back in the art room, the A55
and the river informed the beginning of this painting. Two ribbons begin the
journey, like hillside streams meeting and flowing together, the two Mary’s
meet in the dark grey of dawn and journey together companionably in grief,
supporting one another in love. This is a journey of knowing and unknowing –
their way is not clear, either exteriorly or interiorly – the future is hidden
from them – their present reality – their truth in that morning is one of loss
and darkness. Their arrival at the tomb is interrupted – earthquake – dazzling
light and an angelic presence. Like the stiles that lay across my path (which
were not half as dramatic!) their encounter gives a new perspective and a
threshold is crossed – from loss to hope, their journey becomes one of
discovery that has a tomorrow. The message of the angel stays with them as they
turn to head back – still with a mixture of fear and joy – the ribbon of their
being adorned with the thread of hope… And then the encounter with the risen
Jesus – who dispels all fear – their grief transformed to joy and the fire of his
presence accompanies them – with energy and light back to the disciples. The
journey now has a different colour & form – shot through with the energy of
the Spirit enabling the message to be proclaimed in every encounter.
April 2011: Two years on, having
translated that little sketch to canvas, the painting now also speaks to me of
the poem by John of the Cross, the Dark Night of the Soul – where the soul, in
darkness of unknowing, seeks her Beloved, and where the gift of encounter is
that of Lover and Beloved.
“O guiding
night! O night more lovely than the dawn! O night that has united the Lover
with his beloved, transforming the beloved in her Lover.”
The Dark
Night, stanza 5, John of the Cross
Today, I invite you to be with the image; a swirl of two energies becoming one – of longing and loving
attention in the dark of grief being transfigured, set on fire with new
life, in the gift of this encounter at dawn …
Peace be with you
Tessa
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