Below is the text of an email sent to the editor of "Coracle" The Magazine of The Iona Community, and to Mr. Robert Davidson, author of a prose work therein. The reply and response are given in full.

To : Ruth Harvey, Editor, “Coracle”, Magazine of The Iona Community. (copy to Mr. Davidson)

From : Ian McLean, Associate Member of The Iona Community.

Date : 16/12/03

Subject : “Fractured Beatitudes”, p26 Coracle December 2003

The phrase “poor in spirit” of the first Beatitude does not refer to those of us who have a sense of low self worth as suggested by Mr. Davidson in his prose work. It refers to those of us who await the guidance of The Holy Spirit, and who therefore in the gift of Grace alone are not servants of the self. Only in this sense are we free of self regard, and thus of an assessment of our own self worth. We therefore respond to the Holy Spirit in our hearts. All else is of the head.

To have the perception of low self worth is to deny The Christ within. In this state of denial it is impossible to inherit The Kingdom of Heaven. Mr. Davidson's interpretation is however consistent with our leader Kathy Galloways' published orientation to The Holy Spirit*. When we await, far less receive The Holy Spirit's guidance we cannot have a sense of low self worth.

We need only look to the last Beatitude for confirmation of Mr. Davidson's error. Is low self worth consistent with the second community who will inherit The Kingdom of Heaven, namely those of us who are persecuted because of righteousness? We all surely have a need to bear in mind the ultimate source of all righteousness.

It is significant and regrettable that as the editor of Coracle you did not question Mr. Davidson on his interpretation of this fundamental Biblical text prior to publication of this mis-leading work. I assume this is because of your agreement with the author's interpretation. The title of the work however affords us an accurate appraisal thereof. Amen.( The Lord's Will be done)

As Mr. Davidson is not listed as either a member or associate of The Community I ask you to forward a copy of this Witness to him. Please advise me if you do not intend to assist the work of community in this way. Thank you.

Finally, a question to the editor of Coracle:-

• What is the worth of the worthless?

* Please see letter to Kathy Galloway in Current Issue No.1 on this site.

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The Editor's reply . 18/12/03

Dear Ian McLean,

Thank you for your message re. Robert Davidson's piece “Fractured Beatitudes”. I see it as my role and responsibility as editor of Coracle to welcome thought provoking articles and poetry which engage the reader in personal, social , spiritual and political engagement. Robert Davidson's work not only fulfils all these criteria, but consistently challenges those of us within the Community to think beyond our assumptions. The fact that you do not agree with his interpretation of “poor in spirit” only confirms this for me. I will, or course, forward all correspondence re. an author's work to the author themselves.

The Holy Spirit's' response (not reply) 18/12/03

Thank you for your reply Ruth. As we know, the point is the issue of the deliberations and engagement you refer to. You assume that Witness makes an assumption. I am content to await the issue thereof.

Ian McLean. (copied to Kathy Galloway, Norman Shanks, and Alan Wilkie.)

Comment:- There has been no communication from Mr. Davidson. The following was sent as a separate email to Ruth and Mr. Davidson several days after the original:-

A Sense of Worth

(A Muse)

My senses of the five are not,

They are but three --

Righteousness, fulfilment, and Desire.

Desire that is to fuel the flame

Of Love in every heart --

As chooses death in Life.

                            Amen.

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