A good day

Chris on great form at Understanding Islam. The Quran claims Jesus was born in the desert - what of 2000 years of tradition about Bethlehem? What of the Eucharist and Passover - have we all got it so wrong?
Chris Goodchild led the spirituality day linking the Alexander technique to the theme of "Beyond Desire". His section from Gerard May's book on desire "Addiction and Grace" was most interesting contrasting addiction and repression. "after 20 years of listening to the yearnings of people's hearts, I am convinced that all human beings have an inborn desire for God".
During the quiet time I sat in St Andrew's chapel in the cathedral which has fine mosaics of Istanbul and St Andrews and the lovely cross. I found a quote from "The Imitation of Christ" which finished the day well.
"All that matters is the cross and dying on that cross - there is no other way to life and real inward peace except the way of the holy cross, and of daily dying to self. Go where you like, look at what you like, you will not find a higher way above or a safer way below than the way of the holy cross...
So the cross is always close by and waits for you everywhere. You cannot escape it, wherever you may run; for everywhere you go you take yourself, and always you will find yourself. Look up or down, out or in, there too you will find the cross; and all the time you must go on being patient if you wish to have inward peace and to win a crown that will last for ever."
The Lent group followed "Who is my neighbour" with 11 there.Listened to Rachmaninov Vespers and part of premiere of Tavener's Requiem from Liverpool on radio and spoke to Ann who enjoyed Copenhagen.