These are words that open morning worship each day at the Abbey, and yes, they are words we used at St. Mary’s for a season during Morning Prayer. I’m certain we will again. 

This trip to Iona has been full of changing weather. Yesterday it rained off and on, and the walk home from worship last evening was cold and rainy and very dark (because we’d forgotten our flashlights and couldn’t use the ones on our phones…….because it was raining so hard). 

Yesterday we discovered a new beach. It was described as a favorite with toddlers which made it seem like a good choice for these two grandmas on a rainy hiking day.  A bonus was that it is the best place to find cowries, tiny pink shells the size of a child’s fingernail.   They are very difficult to find until you find your first, and then, like so may things, they are easy to spot. 

The rain yesterday made the morning sunshine today extra full beyond the brim with grace. 

Since today appears to be the day with the least expectation of rain, we’re off for what we believe will be a challenging hike to a place we’ve longed to see–St. Columba’s Bay on the far south side of the island. It’s a particularly holy place because it’s where St. Columba landed with his small group of monks in their coracle from Ireland, and where Christianity was launched across Britain, Europe, and as far as Russia.  

We lit two candles at the close of worship with prayers for safe travel, and all who journey today. 

Hardy women that we are, we braved the wind, gusting up to fifty miles an hour, and rain to walk to the Abbey for the night Communion service.  It was a lovely, thoughtful service. 

One of the gifts of being on Iona is that pilgrims travel here from all over the world. Still, I was unprepared for the experience of true Communion when the woman next to me turned to serve me the bread, looked into my eyes, and said the words of institution, The Body of Christ given for you, in a language I did not know. We both were stopped in the holy moment in that holy place knowing that Christ was real and present and with us. Our eyes filled with tears. Once again, as she served me the cup with the hands of Christ, The Blood of Christ given for you, in words that I could only comprehend, though completely, in my Spirit, Christ was there.  

After a gorgeous early morning ferry ride yesterday (which I now know was Wednesday), 

followed by a loopy drive across Mull, 

and one short afternoon ferry ride across Martyrs Bay, we were home to Iona. 

When I first saw the Abbey, I was overwhelmed by the catch in my heart and the tears in my eyes.  After forty four hours of travel, I was back. 

We walked to the Abbey last night through the nunnery by moonlight. 

The first walk to the Abbey by the sea this morning was a great way to prepare for  worship. 

I was moved to tears yet again this morning as our order of worship from the Iona Abbey Worship Book was the same one we used at St. Mary’s during Lent two years ago.  With the time difference, I was struck that I was praying whilst those I loved slept. 

Words from one of our morning hymns are good words to begin this retreat:  

 

Glasgow at 10.30 AM. 

Then a beautiful drive north and west towards Oban.  Past Loch Lomond and through Inverary, Lochgilphead, Kilmichael, Kilmartin Glen, and Kilmartin.