Historical Setting: The Great Skellig, 924 C.E. I mention to the abbot, “Brother Lugh is planning to return to the mainland when the boat comes with the winter’s supplies.” “The season is already turning. Even now, we have winter seas. Landing here requires the perfect sea, which is not the nature of the waters inContinue reading “#85.12 Weds., October 28, 2026”
Category Archives: Medieval
#85.11 Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Historical Setting: The Great Skellig, 924 C.E. One would suppose that the conversation of Abbot Mactyre would have been about the monastic rule on this rock, or about the saints that make this place holy, or about the mystical nature of Christ who wanders freely among us all here. But he is telling me theContinue reading “#85.11 Tuesday, October 27, 2026”
#85.10 Thursday, October 22, 2026
Historical Setting: The Great Skellig, 924 C.E. Abbot Mactyre tells of a King Alfred of England though he makes it his practice to tell his monks to leave their past behind and become new in Christ here. But the irony is, he is telling me this. It is tales of royal power. Maybe it isContinue reading “#85.10 Thursday, October 22, 2026”
#85.9 Weds., October 21, 2026
Historical Setting: The Great Skellig, 924 C.E. The abbot is telling me of the Kings and their power struggles — things I missed through the past century. We both share the perspective that wars are made by people, not God, so, we value the acts of earthly rulers who choose not to have wars, thoughContinue reading “#85.9 Weds., October 21, 2026”
#85.8 Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Historical Setting: The Great Skellig, 924 C.E. Mostly in these times other people don’t see history as I do. I see it all in the light of Jesus love, even in the peaceful march to the cross by Jesus among his enemies — the Romans. So, I wonder how the murderous ways of warring kingsContinue reading “#85.8 Tuesday, October 20, 2026”
#85.7 Thursday, October 15, 2026
Historical Setting: The Great Skellig, 924 C.E. Maybe the abbot had hoped to be rid of me when a boat comes with the winter supplies. But these winds signal an early winter and already the sea is too riled for a boat landing. On this day he has taken me aside to talk about thingsContinue reading “#85.7 Thursday, October 15, 2026”
#85.6 Weds., October 14, 2026
Historical Setting: The Great Skellig, 924 C.E. On this fair October day Abbot Mactyre and I are talking together, considering the century of change I missed while, as he says, I was “awash at sea.” He is telling me of Danish Vikings, who no longer simply fill their coffers with riches then scurry back toContinue reading “#85.6 Weds., October 14, 2026”
#85.5 Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Historical Setting: The Great Skellig, 924 C.E. The abbot and I are considering the changing nature of Viking attacks. “So,” I ask, “They chose to raid this place, as hard to approach as it is, simply to take the abbot, prisoner? No offense, but an abbot would hardly make a marketable slave.” “TheContinue reading “#85.5 Tuesday, October 13, 2026”
#85.4 Thursday, October 8, 2026
Historical Setting: The Great Skellig, 924 C.E. The abbot and I are sitting out here on the cistern wall protected from the northwest October winds by the peak of the Skellig. On these cooler days we benefit from the late season sun. At this moment, it is comfortable and beautiful. Thank you, God. We areContinue reading “#85.4 Thursday, October 8, 2026”
#85.3 Weds., October 7, 2026
Historical Setting: The Great Skellig, 924 C.E. The abbot and I are considering, again, the question of a saint’s power to protect a monastery from a Viking attack. “I was a lay follower of Father Columbanus also named for a dove, and then I was on a mission to deliver a message for himContinue reading “#85.3 Weds., October 7, 2026”
