As I began to dream about a sabbatical, my lifelong desire to go to Scotland was the inspiration. When I have been on retreats where the leader invites the group to picture a place where you feel God’s presence, I often pictured the landscape of green lush hills of the lowlands of Scotland. I have never been there, but my interior landscape seemed to already know this place. Hearing Celtic harp music makes me weep for reasons I don’t understand, as if my ancestors are talking to me. My family trees (Cochran and Stewart) have roots in Scotland as well as my Christian heritage as a Presbyterian.
One place in Scotland friends and colleagues have told me about is the island of Iona. In July our family will be with the Iona Community for worship and reflection in this “thin place” where the earthly and divine touch. Iona is home to a Christian ecumenical community working for peace and social justice, rebuilding of community and the renewal of worship. They publish music and worship materials under the name Wild Goose Publishing.
I have been reading about the history of Iona. Below is an excerpt from an article about Celtic Spirituality and specific people/saints who helped shaped the Christianity in that part of the world.
(from http://allsaintsbrookline.org/celtic_saints/columba.html)
Columba (Colum, Colm, Columkill, Columcille, Colmcille, Combs, Columbus), the most famous of the saints associated with Scotland, was actually born in Ireland. Some say his birth date was December 7, 521 AD. He was of the blood royal on both sides, and might indeed have become High King of Ireland had he not chosen to be a priest.
A few records say his original name was Crimthan, meaning “fox”, but his gentleness and goodness as a child so won all hearts that he was rechristened Colum, Latin for dove. Later he was commonly known as Colum-kill or Colum-cille, the suffix “kill” or “cill” meaning “of the cell” or “of the church” — an appropriate title for the founder of so many religious establishments.
Early Life
Following some years of training to become a priest, Columba finally entered the famous monastic school of Clonard. At one time three thousand students were gathered here from all over Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and even from Gaul and Germany. He was fully trained by the time he was twenty-five years old, and he was a striking figure of great stature and powerful build. His loud, melodious voice could be heard from one hilltop to another.
Leaves Ireland and Goes to Scottish Isle to Spread the Gospel
Because of a grievance against King Diarmaid and resulting war, Columba resolved to exile himself and win for Christ in another land as many souls as had perished in the battle of Cuil Dremne.
Whatever the impulse that prompted him, in 563 Columba embarked with twelve companions in a wicker coracle (small boat) covered with leather, and on the eve of Pentecost landed on one of t
he Inner Hebrides, just off the west coast of Scotland, at the place we now know as Iona. The first thing he did there was to erect a high stone cross; then he built a monastery, which was to be his home for the rest of his life. Iona was a desolate rock originally known only as Hy or I, Irish for “island”. Years later it also became known also as Icolmkill, “the island of Columba of the Cell.” It had been a sacred place to the Druids long before Columba landed there, and was to become the center of Celtic Christianity.
Columba and his Celtic monks at Iona combined contemplative life with extensive missionary activity. Lying across from the border country between the Picts of the north and the Scots of the south, Iona made an ideal center for missionary work. Columba seems to have first devoted himself to teaching the imperfectly instructed Christians of Dalriada, most of whom were of Irish descent, but after two years he turned to the work of converting the Scottish Picts.
King Brude
With his old comrades, Comgall and Kenneth, Columba made his way through Loch Ness northward to the castle of the redoubtable King Brude, near modern Inverness. The pagan monarch had given strict orders that they were not to be admitted, but when Columba raised his arm and made the sign of the cross, it was said that bolts fell out and gates swung open, permitting the strangers to enter. Impressed by such powers, the King listened to them and ever after held Columba in high regard. As Overlord of Scotland he confirmed him in possession of Iona. Columba is said to have planted churches as far east as Aberdeenshire and to have evangelized nearly the whole of the country of the Picts.
When not on missionary journeys, Columba was to be found in his cell on Iona, where persons of all conditions visited him, some in want of spiritual or material help, some drawn by his miracle
s and sanctity. Iona was for centuries one of the famous centers of Christian learning. For a long time afterwards, Scotland, Ireland, and Northumbria followed the observances Columba had set for the monastic life. The current Iona Abbey was built on the original site. (more about the abbey in another post)
Columba’s Transformation – He was full of the joy of the Holy Spirit
It is clear that Columba’s temperament changed dramatically during his life. In his early years he was intemperate and probably inclined to violence. He was extremely stern and harsh with his monks, but towards the end he seems to have softened. He was beloved by all, “for a holy joyousness that ever beamed from his countenance revealed the gladness with which the Holy Spirit filled his soul”, according to Adamnan, the source of our best biographical information about Columba. Adamnan also describes Columba thus: “He had the face of an angel; he was of excellent nature, polished in speech, holy in deed, great in council. He never let a single hour pass without engaging in prayer or reading or writing or some other occupation. He endured the hardships of fasting and vigils without intermission by day and night; the burden of a single one of his labors would have seemed beyond the powers of man. And, in the midst of all his toils, he appeared loving unto all, serene and holy, rejoicing in the joy of the Holy Spirit in his inmost heart.”
Columba laid the groundwork for the conversion of Britain. He was a renowned artist and some of his illumination may be recorded in the Book of Kells.
Come tomorrow to Willow Grove Church. Worship at 10:00 am as we praise God in song and silence, Word and worship. The theme for service is Journeys. How would you describe your journey in life? Where are you now on this journey of faith? What do you need to know your direction and path? Road map, trail map, GPS, or compass? After worship and congregational meeting, come downstairs to Ryno Hall for lunch. You will hear all about the exciting plans for next summer. I will talk about my plans for my sabbatical. including our family trip to England and Scotland. Members of the Sabbatical Planning Team will talk about the guest pastor who is coming from Scotland, journeys/events that will happen between now and the summer, financial information, and information about the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Grant. A sheet of Frequently Asked Questions will be distributed. And you can ask any question you have about this summer adventure.
