With Gratitude 


With gratitude
I traveled the holy path
To Iona.

Remembering the ones
Who journeyed here by boat,
Who scraped out lives
From dirt, from sea,
In wind-swept wilderness.

Remembering the ones
Who died in violence,
Who fled for their lives,
Who left this place
For the safety of Ireland.

With gratitude
I traveled the holy path
to Iona.

One of thousands and thousands
Who desire to walk in the footsteps
Of monks and pilgrims,
Of Kings and beggars,
Of tourists and penitents,
Of saints and workers.

All with hungry hearts,
Hungry spirits,
Seeking Love
In this place.

With gratitude.

 
 
Find more of my prayers in my book Christ Beside Me, Christ Before Me: Celtic Blessings.

Friday Postcard

A day trip to Iona. Grateful. 

A Prayer of St. Columba

Be a bright flame before me, O God
a guiding star above me.

Be a smooth path below me,
a kindly shepherd behind me
today, tonight, and for ever.

Alone with none but you, my God
I journey on my way;
what need I fear when you are near,

O Lord of night and day?
More secure am I within your hand
than if a multitude did round me stand.

Amen.