I have arrived at Holy Island after a journey up the beautiful Northumberland coast. Something I have not done for around 35 years.
This is the land of castles, built to protect the land against invaders. Psalm 18:1,2 talks about being a strong tower we can run to to be safe. Which is fantastic.
But interestingly most besieged castles fall because of starvation and lack of water. Bamburgh Castle has a 44 metre deep well to avert this (but was still the first castle in the world to fall to cannon fire in 1464). It struck me how much we need to have a well of living water within us…And looking at the dungeon in Bamburgh reminded me of so many brothers and sisters who are suffering in terrible places.
Oswald of Northumbria became King at Bamburgh in 634 and straight away invited Aidan from Iona to teach the people about Celtic christianity. He based himself on Holy Island and it’s a privilege to be here. Such a history of spirituality. I feel that I really need to find that “thin place” while I’m here…Pilgrimage continues.
Adrian@60 