[T]his is one of the four chief pilgrimages of Erin henceforth; to wit, the Cave of Patrick in Ulster, Croagh Patrick in Connaught, Inis ne m-Béo (the Lake of the Living) in Munster, and Glendalough in Leinster, where is Coemgen’s church.
– The Monk Solomon, Life of Coemgen (III)
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
– Romans 15.4
Pilgrimage
Christians in the ancient world could not read about Church history. There were no books, and most of those early believers were barely literate at any rate.
But they harbored a deep appreciation for those saints and places which had been instrumental in their coming to faith in Jesus. So, since they couldn’t read about the history of Patrick and Coemgen and others, they did the next best thing.
They re-lived it.
And they did so by pilgrimage, by journeying with others to a sacred place, made so by the work of saints like Patrick and Coemgen. The journey there would be anticipatory: getting to know some new friends, sharing stories about the saint whose place they were to visit, recalling their own experience of faith, and the like. Once arrived, it was a time for prayers and meditation, even weeping for one’s sins—especially with the sense of someone like Patrick or Coemgen attached to the place. Then the return—refreshed, renewed, filled with admiration for the saint and gratitude to God.
These sojourns would also be renewing. As Solomon goes on to tell us, “And it is obligatory on every one who goes on pilgrimage there to abstain from fighting, process of law [lawsuits], and quarreling, theft and rapine.” In other words, let the example of the saints work transforming grace in your life as you go among the places associated with their honored past, no matter how heinous your sins.
Re-living history today
It ill-behooves us to practice a studied ignorance of our past. An abundance of resources—histories, biographies, iconography, art, music, liturgy, popular videos and journals—are available to help us enter the lives and ministries of those who, by their faithfulness, have made it possible for us to believe today. As Paul wrote, thinking about the saints of the Old Testament, we can learn patience, find comfort, and be otherwise blessed and instructed by sharing in the lives of believers from the past.
That’s part of the reason for this series of “devotional histories”, that we might, if only in a small way, learn and appreciate the lives and work of great saints from the period of the Celtic Revival (ca. 430-800 AD). The resources for people like Coemgen, Brigit, Patrick, Brendan, Colum Cille, and Columbanus are scant. And the writing of their stories is in a style that was popular in Ireland in that day—truth and myth combined into ever-more-embellished stories of great people from the past. So we need to work at it a bit to gather what benefit we may.
In Coemgen’s case, as he was a man of rigorous discipline and consistent righteousness, those who made the pilgrimage to Glendalough were expected to honor his memory, and all that he contributed to Christianity in Ireland, by putting their lives in order. The trek to Glendalough, together with the time spent there, would allow pilgrims to reflect on their lives and, drawing on the memory of the saint, to “get their act together” for a new start in the Lord.
And so can we, if we are willing. It’s one thing to read about saints like Coemgen. It’s another thing to learn from them. Our prayer is that we can do both by re-living their history in the light of God’s Word and for our own benefit and edification.
For Reflection
1. What would it mean for you to “re-live” important people or times from Church history?
2. What might you expect to learn by doing so?
Psalm 71.14-16, 3 “
(Solid Rock: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less)
But as for me my voice I raise
to sing in hope and constant praise!
With saving grace my voice will swell
Your never-ending grace to tell.
Refrain v. 3
A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
my Rock and Fortress ever be!
T. M. 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).
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Other columns of interest: This week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we consider what it takes to grow it. Our Read Moore podcast completes our journey through Joy to Your World!. The focus of our Scriptorium daily study is on “Matthew: The Coming of the Kingdom.” 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. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
