Lent 2021: A Story to Live BySample

Love is a verb

Reflection:

For the last 15 years I have been a member of a new monastic community based on Holy Island and found inspiration from the Celtic Christian church. One of my favourite heroes of faith is Aidan, who was sent here in AD635.

Aidan came with a different spirit. He told Corman, who had previously led failed mission trips to England: ‘Brother, perhaps you should have given them milk before you gave them the meat of God's word.’

Aidan denied the gifts of the King, including a royal horse, instead choosing to meet people face to face so that he could share the good news with everyone. His humble attitude, love for the ordinary person and gentle spirit won many to Christ. 

Prayer:

This prayer is said to be from Aidan himself:

Leave me alone with God as much as may be.

As the tide draws the waters close in upon the shore,

Make me an island, set apart,

alone with you, God, holy to you.

Then with the turning of the tide

prepare me to carry your presence to the busy world beyond,

the world that rushes in on me

till the waters come again and fold me back to you.

Author: Scott Brennan

Scott leads the community of St Aidan and Hilda on Lindisfarne (The Holy Island).