June 10th, 2020

Wednesday Words            6-10-20

Psalm 72      Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 8: 11 – 18      Galatians 4: 21 – 31

Psalm 119: 73 – 96      Matthew 16: 1 – 12    BCP page 971 top

Columba, the Monastic

December 7, 521 – June 9, 597

Ireland is famous for its natural beauty and for its Saints.  St. Patrick and St. Bridgette are the most famous, but St. Columba should not be overlooked.  Columba is credited with bringing Christianity to what we know as Scotland, and he is the founder of the famous monastery at Iona, Scotland

Columba was born in Ireland, in 521 CE, the son of Christian parents.  His early education in a series of monasteries allowed him to study under some of the best Christian teachers of his time.  Columba was quite tall, broadly built and possessing a naturally loud but warm and attractive speaking voice.  He was an excellent student, becoming a monk and eventually a priest.  During his 20s and 30s, he was involved in the founding of several monasteries in Ireland.

Sometime in 590 CR, Columba became embroiled in a battle over a manuscript that turned into a real war.  Columba had made a copy of a psalter while in the scriptorium of Movilla Abbey, with the knowledge of the abbey, but he intended to keep the copy for himself.  There were many on-going conflicts between the king of Ireland and many of the abbeys over all the usual things – wealth, land, power.  This argument over a manuscript became a flash point and fighting broke out.  Many men were killed in the battles, including one of Columba’s relatives, Prince Curnan, who was living under Columba’s protection.

This loss of life weighed heavily on Columba.  He could never manage to let go of the guilt he felt for his part in the deaths and for not being able to protect the prince.  He undertook a lifelong penance to relieve his guilt by moving to Scotland, never again to visit or see Ireland.  Columba settled on the island of Iona, a wild and beautiful place up the north west coast of Scotland and, most important, a place where Columba could not see the coast of Ireland.

Among other things, Columba established a monastery at Iona that became a center for literacy and theology in the British Iles.  Columba himself was regarded as a holy man which enabled him to become an effective diplomat among the tribes of the area.  And Columba was a fierce and energetic missionary, devoted to the Gospel of Christ. 

The influence of the Iona Monastery is being felt even down to our times.  Over the centuries, the monks there produced many glorious works of arts and preserved many manuscripts and books for us, including 3 written by Columba.  You are probably familiar with the Book of the Kells, a spectacular volume containing the 4 Gospels with stunning painted illustrations and illuminations.  A treasure of both faith and art.

Columba is an example to us of one who used his talents and skills for the glory of God and found that was enough to change his world.  Scotland became a stronghold for Christianity, the monastery at Iona a stronghold for Christian literacy.  God turned Columba’s grief over his part in a destructive war into the salvation and grace of a whole people.  1500 years later we are still being blessed and enriched by Columba’s gifts.

Rite II:
O God, who by the preaching of your servant Columba caused the light of the Gospel to shine in Scotland: Grant, we pray, that, remembering his life and labors, we may show our thankfulness to you by following the example of his zeal and patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.