Everything you wanted to know about Christianity at the Anglican Parish of the Otways Please join me each week for our reflections of sermons conducted during our church service. Plus, occasional splashes of humour and epiphanies! With much Love and Blessings Rev. Jenny Brandon |
Initially Aidan was sent as a missionary to Northumbria
at the request of King Oswald, not long after a missionary called Corman – had returned claiming that he had had no success in his missionary work, saying the people were unteachable and too stubborn.
According to Wiki, Aidan of Lindisfarne was credited with
restoring Christianity to Northumbria. He founded a monastic cathedral on the island of Lindisfarne, known as Lindisfarne Priory, served as its first bishop, and travelled ceaselessly throughout the countryside, spreading the gospel to both the Anglo-Saxon nobility and to the socially disenfranchised (including children and slaves). He is known as the Apostle of Northumbria and is recognised as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox, the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion and others. (courtesy Wikipedia)
According to an observation made of Aidan at a conference
held in Iona by King Oswald of Northumbria, he won over the job from his predecessor, quoted as saying: “Brother, it seems to me that you were too severe on your ignorant hearers. You should have followed the practice of the Apostles, and begun by giving them the milk of simpler teaching, and gradually nourished them with the word of God until they were capable of greater perfection and able to follow the loftier precepts of Christ.” (St Aidan's Episcopal Church)
It is said that Aidan criticised the methods used by Corman,
suggesting perhaps Corman should have taken a more gentle approach and so Aidan went out as a missionary. He worked closely with King Oswald, who is said to have acted as his interpreter.
His life of mission involved an enthusiasm for preaching,
a concern for the poor and he was known for his charitable acts.
He founded churches and monasteries,
was involved in ministerial training and sought to strengthen the faith of those he encountered, however rich or poor.
He is described as a humble man who was loved and respected
and he died on 31st August in the year 651 AD.
Attributed to St Aidan are the following occurrences:
it was claimed saved the king's city Bamburgh King Oswald’s enemy, Penda, attempted to burn it down by piling thatch and wood around the city walls. Apparently, Bishop Aidan, was in retreat on his island two miles away from Bamburgh and seeing the smoke and flames he raised his hands to the heavens, saying with tears, ‘Lord see what evil Penda does!’ Before any real damage had been done, the wind shifted and drove the flames and smoke onto those who kindled them. The attackers had to quickly retreat while the city was saved.
Another story has St. Aidan saving the life of a stag
by making it invisible to the hunters. Even though, this miracle has also been attributed to St Aidan of Ferns, The stag is symbolically associated with St Aidan since the stag often symbolizes solitude, piety, and prayer. St. Aidan's crest is a torch, a light shining in the darkness, since 'Aidan' is Gaelic for 'fire'. We may also see St Aidan portrayed with a tent reminding us of his death. St Aidan was considered to be a protector against fire. So this might be significant given we in Apollo Bay are located rural in potential bushfire territory.
There are many things that we can take away
from the example of St Aidan that are applicable to our owns lives and ministries, things I believe can both inspire and challenge us.
‘Aidan travelled ceaselessly….
spreading the gospel to both the Anglo-Saxon nobility and to the socially disenfranchised’. To me this idea of spreading the gospel to all in society is crucial as we strive to be a church that is inclusive and accessible.
It seems that Aidan models for us a love, care and
desire to spread the gospel to the whole of society – from the richest to the poorest – that no one is excluded.
‘Aidan patiently talked to people at their own level’.
The idea of talking at the right level doesn’t mean being patronising or dumbing things down, it means meeting people as they are, discerning their needs, being patient with people and showing no judgement.
This is how Jesus spoke to many.No one was excluded
and people were spoken to with love, respect and care. We must make sure we are there if people need us, that our backs are not turned and that we haven’t closed a door and walked away.
Lastly we must look at Aidan’s charity
and dedication to the less fortunate. Aidan gave his time, his respect and perhaps most importantly his love to those on the margins of society and we are ALL called first and foremost to love.
It’s easy to see that St Aidan modelled his life on Jesus.
Jesus also demonstrated these qualities and again and again in the Gospel accounts we see Jesus touching the untouchable, giving hope to the hopeless and seeking out the lost.
In our context – in this town of Apollo Bay –
we are called to bear witness to the Gospel message – to the love, care and compassion of Jesus Christ, who reached out to the margins of society. As we reflect on St Aidan’s life the challenge for us is to mirror those qualities in our own lives, both personally and corporately. With Blessings Rev Jenny
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About the author
Rev. Jenny is an ordained Priest of the Anglican Diocese delivering services at Anglican Parish of the Otway churches every week. With great depth of knowledge and a spiritual practice that shows she walks her talk and has taken her to the far reaches of N.T. Australia working with indigenous youth and elders.
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