And who could count the various multitudes and innumerable crowds of people who swarm here from all provinces? Some come for the abundance of festivals, some to have their illnesses cured, some come to see the spectacle of the crowds, and others come with great gifts for the feat of St. Brigit, who fell asleep on the first of February, safely casting off the burden of the flesh, and followed the Lamb into the heavenly mansions.
– Cogitosus, The Life of St. Brigit the Virgin
O my soul, you have said to the LORD,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
As for the saints who are on the earth,
“They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
– Psalm 16.2, 3
Saints in the earth
The remainder of Cogitosus’ account of the life of Brigit is taken up with various miracles, some accomplished while she yet lived, and some even after she had died. I find it difficult to credit most of these stories, and they lack anything that might be seen to be a true historical thread. In my view, the miracles attributed to Brigit were added to bring her story into line with Roman Catholic hagiographical practices of that day.
We recall that Cogitosus was writing at the time when Rome was beginning its takeover of the churches and monasteries in Ireland. The lavish embellishing of saints’ lives with extraordinary good works that began in this period, clearly seems to have the purpose of asserting the specious claim that Rome was the Celtic Revival’s proper home all along.
That said, it’s clear that the memory of great saints was precious in those days, even to the point of remembering either their birth or their parting with celebrations, feasts, and special services of worship. The living practiced ongoing identity with and appreciation of those, like Brigit, who had brought grace and truth into their lives and who stood out as examples of true righteousness and selfless service.
It’s not surprising that accounts like that of Cogitosus should be written and credited. The Christian people of Ireland during the period of the Celtic Revival (ca. 430-800) recognized the debt of faith they owed to their Christian forebears, and they did not wish their memory to be lost. They considered the saints who were in the earth to be those excellent ones who had made it possible for the faith of Jesus to come down to them, and they delighted in their memories.
History lost
Which is, alas, more than we can say for our own day.
The attitude of many Christians today toward the saints who have gone before can only be described as one of indifference bordering on despite. This is especially true among believers in the evangelical tradition. We might know the names of some great saints from the past—Augustine, say, or Patrick, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, and maybe Edwards—but we care little for their struggles and accomplishments and are almost entirely ignorant of their specific contributions, literary and theological or otherwise.
It is not merely that we have lost sight of their many excellencies. We have never bothered to learn them. And to think of beginning to do so now is next to the bottom of our list of useful things to do.
Cogitosus and other Irish hagiographers may have gone too far in celebrating the saints who are in the earth; but, their exaggerations and embellishments aside, their love for saints like Brigit, Patrick, Colum, and all the others puts us to shame.
For each of us, there are believers who have been instrumental, in one way or another, in our knowing and loving the Lord Jesus. We can begin here and give thanks and praise to God for them. Then give thanks for those who were significant in their lives. For the works of saints you have read or read about. For any whose names come to mind as you pray. And then let this regard, this appreciation, of the saints who are in the earth grow and expand as you rejoice in the Lord for how He has used them through the years.
For Reflection
1. Who are some believers still “on” the earth who have been important in your life? Give thanks and praise to God for each one.
2. For those saints who have blessed you, take a moment to share a word of thanks with them, whether by email or text or even a hand-written note. And let this be the beginning of a growing appreciation of those who have gone before.
Psalm 16.1-3, 11 (All to Christ: Jesus Paid It All)
Preserve me, O my God; I refuge seek in You.
You alone are all my good, my LORD and Savior true!
Refrain v. 11
Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand.
Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.
The saints within the earth, majestic in their day,
delight me with the worth of all they do and say.
Refrain
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we conclude our study of the place of God’s Law in His Kingdom. Our Read Moore podcast continues working through The Gospel of the Kingdom, working to understand the true Gospel of the Lord. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
