Picture St Cuthbert’s Island

Another energetic day in that we were out exploring again. This time the Holy Island. You travel to this island over a causeway which floods with the tide, so you need to be aware of the times which are displayed at the start of the causeway. Once across we started to explore first the castle and then the herb garden. Finally to the abbey and the island of St Cuthbert who was said to have lived there as a hermit for some time before going to the inner fare island.

The calling to be a hermit is a lonely one, but it did appear that he did have friends, as it seems that all the monks loved St Cuthbert. His was, his manner, everything about him seemed to shine telling of his walk with God.

Psalm 131

I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul
A Song of Ascents. Of David.

 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me

What a contrast from yesterdays things that were too great, that were haughty, that we end up here looking over to the small island that St Cuthbert started his hermit life. Simple and reflective. Quiet and alone. He didn’t occupy himself with things, not like our generation does.

To reflect, like I said yesterday we need a place to be alone. A place set aside. This whole island has been said to be set aside, perhaps it is growing away from that to a more tourist trade motivated economy but still the island is simple. We need a time alone each day, even if it is for a small time to seek the presence of God and strengthen ourselves for the day ahead.

Dear Lord help us all to find the time to be alone with you.

Amen