#73.2, Thursday, October 2, 2025

Historical Setting: Lindisfarne of Northumbria, 793 C.E.
 

         Ealdwin and I are washing the dishes and I find it is a perfectly unsanctified time to ask Brother Ealdwin the questions I have about the Irish traditions of this monastery.

         “I’m hearing the patrons and the pilgrims talking among themselves, cursing an Irish root of Lindisfarne. But did this monastery once follow the Celtic Rule?”

         Somber and serious, Brother Ealdwin stacks another heap of bowls on the table, then answers.

         “We are obedient to the pope and follow the righteous Rule of Benedict now.”

         “Of course.”

         “You know, what you are calling a ‘Celtic Rule’ is no rule at all.  It is haphazard and disorderly with complete disregard for righteous obedience.”

         “It’s such an old matter; I didn’t expect to hear it discussed in this new time.”

         Brother Ealdwin doesn’t actually discuss it with me.  He just continues stacking the bowls in silence and I nod my gratitude for his help with the chore.

         I thought the divisive issues of Rule were more than a century in the past and at that time it seemed only a local issue in Francia. I thought it was a personal rift between Columbanus and the Frankish bishops and it was settled when Columbanus yielded to the Benedictine Rule calling for the date for Easter to follow the papal decree. And of course, there was that issue of tonsure.

         Over and over again I fall into the trap of thinking all of us humans in time progress from ignorance to wisdom. In this new awakening it is true that travel by sea is faster and new ways of navigating give sailors better direction. Towers are taller and horses wear iron shoes, and the plough horse wears a collar. But the olden ways of pettiness that divide God’s beloved Creation into warring factions seem only to grow deeper roots so ancient weeds of dissension keep showing up. Old controversies always find a way of sprouting back to life.

         Here, in this new time, this great future of humanity where I have awakened from darkness of death into the new, there still lingers the dearth of old Roman hates.

         Brother Ealdwin suggests I read the writings of a Northumbrian who was collecting the history of olden times here. As Ealdwin says, Bede thought more of ancient dust than new wonders. The tide will be turning soon, so we walk with the visitors toward the causeway before Vespers.

(Continues Tuesday, October 7)