Thursday 8th

A day of rest and adjustment.  Adjusting to the heat of a Mediterranean country takes an englishman by surprise. It is 25c first thing in the morning without air conditioning( it was faulty, now corrected).

Acclimatisation is not just about the weather  it is about culture and faith too. Our colder climate often means we british are more reserved; we need more outer clothing, live indoors and thus become less sociable. We need to become acclimated to God too.

I feel better in a hot climate. Perspiring toxins as one adjusts brings a certain sense of well being. So that’s why they have saunas in cold countries!

There is a temptation to eat more on Holidays.

Actually holy days often require fasting. Whilst it is difficult to avoid hospitality the body benefits from restraint and exercise. The Church is a gymnasium.

St. Basil the Great says “one who truly fasts abstains from anger, rage, malice, and vengeance. One who truly fasts abstains from idle talk, empty rhetoric, slander, condemnation, flattery, lying and all manner of spiteful talk.”

The old men sit and drink lots of coffee, the cleaners work so hard in the hotels. Rest and ascesis are found as neighbouring realities.

I say my prayers and visit St lazarus asking his intercessions. As I leave the  supernatural  brightness of the church and go once more into the natural brightness, words of St John of Damascus come to me:

“The Father is the sun, the Son is the light and the Holy Spirit is the heat.”

Indeed, amen!