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10th Sunday in Ordinary 2008On Monday of this week we celebrate the feast day Mass of someone who heard the words contained in the Gospel of today’s, Come follow me, and who obeyed that command. He realised that they were an invitation to know Jesus, but he realised that if he obeyed them they were words that would change his life. The name of that person is St Columba of Iona. Columba, like Ninian at Whitehorn, is seen as one of the two chief figures who brought the Christian faith to the remotest part of the known world, Scotland. Columba lived between the years 521 and 597. He was born in Co Donegal, he became a monk from his early days, he is said to have founded three of the most important monasteries in Ireland Derry, Kells and Durrow. He is said to have come to Scotland in the year 563, to the remote island of Iona, in what was known as the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada which covered who we would know as Argyle and the Isles. We don’t know why he came, was it for more silence or prayers, some have said that he was involved in a battle in which 3000 people lost their lives and as a penance he exiled himself. Iona became important; people began to drift away from worship of God in the natural elements to the new faith. Iona and Columba was at the centre of this change, many people became Christians, it is said that he even baptised and crowned the king of Dalriada. Columba and Iona became important also to people in main land Europe monks went to the continent and, in times when it seemed that things would be overturned, the monks of Iona helped consolidate the Christian faith. Iona was principally a place people came to, to be in the presence of Columba and his monks. They came for prayers, advice, words of guidance, they came to experience God. But the monks also left from the monastery to visit places and these changed people’s hearts. The next Abbot of Iona after Columba was Adaman and he gives us some idea of the personality of Colmba: someone who was immensely kind and generous, someone whom God worked might works through; someone who was wise and insightful; someone who was filled with prayer and faith. It is difficult for us to fully appreciate what this man and this saint means for us. He along with Ninian set in motion events that would lead to people coming to know God and to living faith in their lives. From the smallest of beginning s, from the most remotest of places in Scotland, God chose this man Columba for a great work. It re-inforces in us that deep conviction that if we are faithful to our calling. To the thing that God has asked us to do, then he can do might works for us and through us for others. Prayers of Intercession 10th Sunday in OT (B)PriestGod can do might deeds with the smallest of things, he fed a large crowd with loaves and fish. May he use the small offering of our lives to bring his blessings to the world IntercessorColumba, a monk who lived a life of silence and prayer, brought faith to our land – may each of us realise that through our baptism faith comes to us. Lord hear usColumba lived in the island of Iona and people came to him to know God – may those called to teach and lead others to God be diligent and filled with zeal. Lord hear usColumba and his monks wrote down the Gospels for others to read – may the word of the Gospel which we listen to and read change our hearts. Lord hear usColumba was a man who dedicated himself to endless hours of prayer – may we be faithful to prayer and the deepening of our relationship with God. Lord hear usWhen Columba died he was said to be bathed in light – when each of us are called by God we pray that we may be radiant with faith. Lord hear usPriestYou son send out his disciples with little so that they may not be burdened and slowed down. In St Columba, chosen instrument for the conversion of the Scots, we see one who comes with nothing and yet who has everything, who travels lightly yet who carries a great treasure. Bless and renew us in the faith that he lived and promised. |