anthrakia
A Few Notes on St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne
A few days ago, I wanted to post a note on St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne (635-87), also known as Cuthbert of Northumbria, but I wasn't able to log onto the blog. So, a few days late, here is the note I planned to share on his annual day, March 20.
According to the Celtic Daily Prayer Book:
"After many years in the monastery [at Lindisfarne], Cuthbert finally entered with great joy, and with the goodwill of the abbot and monks, into the remoter solitude that he had so long sought, thirsted after and prayed for. To learn the first steps of solitude he retired to a place in the outer precincts of the monastery. (This is believed to be the tiny tidal island adjoining Lindisfarne which is now known as St. Cuthbert's Island.) Not until he had first gained victory over our invisible enemy by solitary prayer and fasting did he seek a more remote place on the island on Inner Farne.
"Bede tells us that the island was inhabited by demons; and Cuthbert was the first man brave enough to make his home there. Indeed, the demons fled at the entry of this soldier of Christ, clothed fully in the armour of God" (172).
Cuthbert was later called back from the island and made Bishop of Lindisfarne.
How cool is that! Cuthbert was a soldier of Christ strong enough to make demons flee. Of course, I can't retire to a remote island (although life with four children makes me want to, occasionally). I wonder what kind of prayer it would take to become a soldier of Christ in suburban mid-America?
Best wishes,
Mason Smith
A few days ago, I wanted to post a note on St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne (635-87), also known as Cuthbert of Northumbria, but I wasn't able to log onto the blog. So, a few days late, here is the note I planned to share on his annual day, March 20.
According to the Celtic Daily Prayer Book:
"After many years in the monastery [at Lindisfarne], Cuthbert finally entered with great joy, and with the goodwill of the abbot and monks, into the remoter solitude that he had so long sought, thirsted after and prayed for. To learn the first steps of solitude he retired to a place in the outer precincts of the monastery. (This is believed to be the tiny tidal island adjoining Lindisfarne which is now known as St. Cuthbert's Island.) Not until he had first gained victory over our invisible enemy by solitary prayer and fasting did he seek a more remote place on the island on Inner Farne.
"Bede tells us that the island was inhabited by demons; and Cuthbert was the first man brave enough to make his home there. Indeed, the demons fled at the entry of this soldier of Christ, clothed fully in the armour of God" (172).
Cuthbert was later called back from the island and made Bishop of Lindisfarne.
How cool is that! Cuthbert was a soldier of Christ strong enough to make demons flee. Of course, I can't retire to a remote island (although life with four children makes me want to, occasionally). I wonder what kind of prayer it would take to become a soldier of Christ in suburban mid-America?
Best wishes,
Mason Smith
posted by Mason Smith at Thursday, March 23, 2006
1 Comments:
The prayer that makes the demons flee is not a prayer of words or even thoughts. It cannot be uttered.
The prayer that makes the demons flee is a prayer of action. It is an act of love. The act of adopting an orphan child or stooping to relieve the suffering of a fellow traveler. These are the prayers that make the demons flee.
God bless you Mason for the demons you have set to a run.
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