Readings

June 9: Columba of Iona, Monastic, 567

The Collect of the Day

Columba of Iona

O God, who by the preaching of your servant Columba caused the light of the Gospel to shine in Scotland: Grant, we pray, that, remembering his life and labors, we may follow the example of his zeal and patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Columba of Iona

O God, who by the preaching of thy servant Columba didst cause the light of the Gospel to shine in Scotland: Grant, we beseech thee that, having his life and labors in remembrance, we may following the example of his zeal and patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Columba was born in Ireland in 521, and early in life showed scholarly and pastoral ability. He entered the monastic life, and almost immediately set forth on missionary travels. Even before ordination as a priest in 551, he had founded monasteries at Derry and Durrow.

Twelve years after his ordination, Columba and a dozen companions set out for northern Britain, where the Picts were still generally unaware of Christianity. Columba was kindly received, and allowed to preach, convert, and baptize. He was also given possession of the island of Iona, where, according to legend, his tiny boat had washed ashore. Here he founded the celebrated monastery which became the center for the conversion of the Picts. From Iona, also, his disciples went out to found other monasteries, which, in turn, became centers of missionary activity.

Columba made long journeys through the Highlands, as far as Aberdeen. He often returned to Ireland to attend synods, and thus established Iona as a link between Irish and Pictish Christians.For thirty years, he evangelized, studied, wrote, and governed his monastery at Iona. He supervised his monks in their work in the fields and workrooms, in their daily worship and Sunday Eucharist, and in their study and teaching.

He died peacefully in 597 while working on a copy of the Psalter. He had put down his pen, rested a few hours, and at Matins was found dead before the altar, a smile on his face. He is quoted by his biographer Adamnan as having said, “This day is called in the sacred Scriptures a day of rest, and truly to me it will be such, for it is the last of my life and I shall enter into rest after the fatigues of my labors.”

Today the abbey at Iona is home to the Iona Community, an ecumenical retreat center that has shaped the spirituality of many Christians since it was founded in 1938, and which continues as an important place of pilgrimage and spiritual renewal to this day.  

Lessons and Psalm

First Lesson

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Psalm

1Sing to the Lord a new song, *for he has done marvelous things.

2With his right hand and his holy arm *has he won for himself the victory.

3The Lord has made known his victory; *his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

4He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, *and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

5Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; *lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.

6Sing to the Lord with the harp, *with the harp and the voice of song.

7With trumpets and the sound of the horn *shout with joy before the King, the Lord.

8Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *the lands and those who dwell therein.

9Let the rivers clap their hands, *and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord, when he comes to judge the earth.

10In righteousness shall he judge the world *and the peoples with equity.

Gospel

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1 Corinthians 3:16–23

16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 18 Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Luke 10:17–20

17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”