Eight Monks in My House

It's not every day that eight monks arrive at my house. ... But yesterday was an exception.

I stayed at home all morning – and part of the afternoon – in order to receive them. And when they appeared, a full half hour earlier than scheduled (that's how to keep appointments!), I was delighted to welcome them. One, two, three, four ... eight: yes, all present.

Since my wife wasn't at home I was extremely happy that none of these monks required food. Not because they wouldn't eat because of some strict observation of a Lenten day, but simply due to the fact that none of them could eat ...

All eight of these characters were rendered in pewter – 28mm figures that will become excellent additions to my Life-of-Luther-in-Ten-Scenes display.

I was lamenting the fact today that I haven't been able to engage in some 'batch painting' with the 28mm Reformation figures that I've completed so far. Each figure has a pretty unique outfit, so it's not possible to do 'a run' of 10 blue tunics, followed by 10 pairs of red trousers (a la French WW1 troops), etc..

But now that these monks have arrived:

• 8 brown/cream robes,

• 8 sets of bare feet,

• 8 rings of hair on top ... .

... Sorted!

Well, they should be when I get to this batch – hopefully later this week.

All of this has brought to mind some of Martin Luther's famous quotes, initially when he as a monk in the Augustinian order was engaged in all kind of rigorous practices in order to find favour with God through good works, and laterally when true gospel grace had illuminated his heart and mind:

• “If ever a monk got to heaven by his monkery, it was I."

• "Christ was given, not for picayune and imaginary transgressions, but for mountainous sins; not for one or two, but for all; not for sins that can be discarded, but for sins that are stubbornly ingrained.”