Coemgen used to perform a kind of devotion,
Such as no saint before was ever wont to do;
He would go into a pen every Lent,
A decision from which he found profit from God.
He would stand on a rough bare flag-stone,
Though the cold hurt his bare feet;
The chant of angels was round about him,
To him in his strong pen it was refection.
– The Monk Solomon, Life of Coemgen
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
– 2 Corinthians 12.2-4
Severe devotion
We read about saints like Coemgen, not just from the Celtic period but throughout Church history, who subjected themselves to severe disciplines as a way of expressing their devotion to the Lord. Why would they do that? Were they trying to impress someone? Or to rid themselves of some wicked thoughts or inclinations of the heart? Or was this just the thing to do during Lent in those days?
I doubt there was anything merely mechanical about locking oneself in a pen once a year for an extended season of prayer. It was Lent, after all, the season leading up to the crucifixion of our Lord. As we shall see in our next installment, those, like Coemgen, who undertook such severe devotion set their minds on the suffering of the Lord. They knew that they deserved what He suffered, and they sought to acknowledge that in ways that made sense to them. Subjecting their bodies to hardship was one way to remind themselves of their unworthiness and to renew their hearts in love for the Lord Who endured hardship and suffering like no other.
And perhaps there was more. Perhaps, through such severe devotion, saints like Coemgen were able to penetrate the veil of unbelief that separates this seen world from the unseen world of Christ and departed saints and holy angels. Paul found himself transpositioned there on at least one occasion and maybe more. Coemgen may well have experienced “the chant of angels” so that he knew a greater closeness to the Lord during such times as this.
A challenge for us
And what about us? Do we dare to think we might hear the chant of angels or find ourselves in “the third heaven” through some more concentrated and extended season of prayer, meditation, and setting our minds on Christ?
Certainly, there is more for us to know of our great salvation than we have ever dared to ask or think. Exceedingly and abundantly more. We’re just not willing to undertake the severe devotion—setting aside time away from all earthly distractions, resolved only to see Jesus and increase in love for Him—because we don’t believe such efforts could ever lead to much. And why don’t we believe that? Not because the Scriptures don’t indicate we should (Col. 3.1-3; Eph. 1.15-23; Psalm 16.8-11), but because we’ve never been taught to engage in such discipline and we’ve never known anyone who ever did. This is precisely why the monk Solomon recorded Coemgen’s severe devotion: he wanted us to know that there were such saints who set aside all distractions, sometimes for extended seasons, to devote themselves to prayer, meditation, and seeking the Lord. And while these may have been regarded as “high saints”, what they practiced is available to us, in a form relevant to our time and circumstances.
How long should such seasons be? Longer than the last time you did this. How do we separate ourselves from all distractions? You may not need to consign yourself to a pen or stand on a cold slate floor, but give it some thought and make preparations. You can answer this question for yourself. What do I do when I’m in that situation? Focus on Jesus, exalted in glory, pray in response to His beauty and majesty, listen for the prompting of the Spirit and pray accordingly, sing softly the same refrains over and over. Keep this up and then incorporate some aspects of it into your daily devotion. Will you hear the chanting of the angels?
Of course, there are no guarantees. The challenge to us is to step out of our comfortable practice of faith and discover ways, regular ways, of seeking the Lord more intently and with greater expectations than we do each day.
I make only one promise: do this, and you will find yourself stretched to a greater degree of love for Jesus and righteousness, peace, and joy in your daily life.
For Reflection
1. Have you ever undertaken anything you might consider a “severe devotion”?
2. Do you believe you might benefit from such an effort? Explain.
Psalm 27.4-6, 11-13
(St. Denio: Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise)
One thing we request but to dwell with You, LORD.
Your beauty to test and to think on Your Word.
In trouble You hide us secure in Your grace;
no foe may o’erride us: We sing of Your praise.
LORD, teach us; LORD, lead us because of our foes!
Hear, LORD, when we plead for release from their woes.
Had we not believed all Your goodness to see,
our heart sorely grieved and in turmoil would 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).
Other columns of interest: This week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we are investigating the values that God’s economy requires. Our Read Moore podcast is working 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.
