When I was young I set our to find God. I had heard of a certain monastery on the other side of the mountains. I decided to go.
On the way I met so many people. One said: ‘Wonderful - pray for me when you get there.’ Another said: ‘Why don’t you stay and do God’s work here?’ Another said: The mountains are too high, you will never make it.’ Another said: Hogwash, there is no such place.’
In one village the cobbler, on hearing my story, just smiled and said: ‘Well, I have found God here.’ I looked around the shabby house and village and moved on.
But the cobbler lingered in my mind. Not that I had doubts about the Magic Monastery, but wouldn’t it be fine if I went back and persuaded this deluded cobbler to come with me? And so I went back, determined to listen respectfully to him in order to win his confidence. ‘Sir, I was impressed with what you said. Would you care to tell me how it goes with you?’
‘It is very simple,’ came the answer. ‘I just live here in God. Each day I mend pairs of shoes. I do it with Him and for Him, and it is my service to other people. This is what makes me happy.’
‘But I have heard of a wonderful monastery across the mountains where everything is organised around the presence of God,’ I replied. ‘Will you not come with me?’
‘Oh no,’ said the cobbler. ‘Across the mountains means tomorrow. I have no time for tomorrow.’
Dancing with God
People do not believe me when I tell them to go to the Magic Monastery in order to dance. I suppose other people go there to pray, or hear a sermon, or to repent. But I go there to dance.
God touched me the first time I went there. He made these stiff bones dance. All night long God beat the drum and I danced. The next day I beat the drum and God danced. The preachers went on preaching and the workers went on working, but God danced.
Father Theophane Boyd has been a benedictine monk for over 50 years and is the author of “Tales of the Magic Monastery”
|
