Greece has anywhere from 1200-6000 islands. About 227 of those are inhabited. Lesbos is the 3rd largest of the Greek Isles.
The island of Lesbos even gets a mention in the Bible, "When he (Paul) met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mytilene. The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios" (Acts 20:14, 15)
No Man Is An Island
No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend's
Or of thine own were:
Any man's death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.
-John Donne, from Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, 1624
I first read this poem in high school AP English class. In spite of the exclusionary language, this poem remains one of my favorites. The poem was written 400 years ago, yet the last two lines are still able to give me gooseflesh today.
What do you think Donne's message is? How does it relate to our journey to Lesvos? Do you ever feel as though you ARE an island? What helps you to reconnect with the mainland?
Dear Lord, help us to remember that we are part of something so much greater than ourselves. And when our hearts start to harden against "the other" or even just to forget their sufferings, please soften and open our hearts so that we can continue to fulfill your commandment to love one another as we love you. Amen