First it is where St Columba's landed in AD 563, bringing with him Christianity to the Scottish people.
Secondly it is the spiritual home of the Wildgoose Community. A community that has been blessing for many people since it was founded 1938.
It was like a pilgrimage for us, rising early on the Friday and heading off to be sure to get the 7am flight to Glasgow. Then by car and ferry and many birding stops to Mull and beyond to the tiny island of Iona. On the way we saw the awesome beauty of God's creation, including Otters swimming, an Osprey flying and a Buzzard perched so that we could see him clearly in all his finery through our telescope. Creation too is God's message to us about the Father's love for variety and beauty.
At our first prayer stop, pictured below, we had a reading etc from a book we had brought with us.
My heart was struck by these words, that seemed to be there to prepare my heart for marriage "It is possible to travel alone. But the good traveller knows that the journey is human life and needs company. 'companion' means.. The one who eats the same bread." Debs of course is my companion, friend and lover! All these things are necessary for marriage to work, with the grace of God's Holy Spirit too in generous measure.
And from Jeremiah we learnt about our new heart:
"This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time," declares the Lord. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbour, or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Jeremiah 31:33-34 NIV
The House of Prayer we stayed in was a beautiful welcoming home thanks to Sister Jean. And for two days we became family with the other visitors. Two lovely American women Pat and Marie and two Norweigan Dominican monks Haavar and Arnfinn. Eating breakfast and dinner together. Talking, sharing and with good humour together.
At this meeting at the crossroads was an interesting mix of Christian people, proving that there is fellowship across the divides. We can be one...just as Jesus asks.
This will be a long blog if I tell you everything. So let's just today think about kindness...
I have mentioned in previous blogs "the loving kindness which is the heart of our God ".... Well read here what our brother friar Haavar had to say about it in his sermon linked here.
On the descent into Columba's Bay we experienced the unexpected kindness of a stranger - who appeared from nowhere and offered to take a picture of the three amigos. We exchanged brief friendly words and the information that we were on a rather eccentric Bucks's weekend involving prayer and birding. She seemed shy but did say what she was doing. She then went on ahead stopped in her tracks and came back. She said that she wanted to give me and Debs two green stones known as Columba's Tears - she did this and then hurried on her way. Needless to say I thanked her for her kindness. I was quite touched - the unexpected kindness of strangers does indeed reach the heart very quickly.
So for me the predominant theme of the weekend was that God was telling me that he wants me to learn his kindness. To not be afraid to accept it from others, but also to be more consistent in my attempts to show it to other people. Especially whilst in London - that busy place - oh God let me help the traveller and to see them through your eyes. And thank you for the humour and patience that John and Chris shared with me.
We are but fallible people like clay pots! "We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." That is, if our intentions are good God will cover our weakness.
Dear God, please help me to be more consistent in the practice of kindness and help me to recognise need in others and do what I am able to help them.
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