Why "St. Cuthbert's Island"?

Saint Cuthbert was a Celtic monk who lived in the 7th century.
He received visitors at his monastery in Northumbria and was even appointed a bishop, but he yearned for the life of an ascetic. While living at the monastery on the island of Lindisfarne, he sought to spend time with the Lord whenever possible. Early on, he practiced solitude on a small island that was linked to Lindisfarne by a land bridge when the tide was low. This tiny island, known as Saint Cuthbert’s Island, was a training ground of sorts—a place to grow in faith and in love for God.

I chose to name my blog after this island for two reasons:
1) I hope that it will be a place where I can spend time alone with God, growing in my love for Him.
2) Perhaps, when the tide is low, others may find their way to this tiny island
and, by God’s grace, be blessed by what they find there.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

St. Comgall's Day

Nine days ago (May 11) was St. Comgall's day. Saints' days are usually assigned to the day that a saint, according to tradition, died. Comgall (516-601) was a warrior as a young man who became an ascetic and founded a monastery later in his life. He accompanied Columba--one of my absolute heroes!--as he challenged King Brude and his druids at the fortress of Inverness.

This piece of his writing (taken from his Rule) struck me:
If anybody enters the path of repentance
it is sufficient to advance a step every day.
If you practise repentance,
if your heart is meek,
your way will be straight
to the King of the Kingdom of heaven.
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