One of the stories about Columba is that he had a much loved horse. On the day that St. Columba was going to die, his horse approached him and knew he was about to lose his dear friend and so the horse begins to weep and they share some time of grief together. This story was told by Adamnan, 9th Abbot of Iona, in his Life of St. Columba
Taking Leave.
It had been hard to say goodbye to Erin.
With heavy heart Columba followed the voice of God
calling him through the words of Finnian the wise.
It was long ago now when the seas, rushing to and fro,
took him and companions to a place of new beginnings.
It was a penance.
As he crossed the dark waters
he inhabited a dark place of his soul and wept.
Beloved Erin, out of view but still deep settled in his heart.
That had been long ago now.
On this blessed isle, watched over by angels,
the Good News of Christ had been taken to foreign parts.
Gospel seed scattered and rooted in heart after heart,
blossoming in soul upon soul.
Holy men of Iona, led by the sinner saint,
opened souls to become guest-houses of the Spirit,;
opened eyes to see visions of eternity;
opened lives to pilgrimage with Christ on a joyful pathway of faith,
building cairns of joy and forgiveness.
Waymarks by which to experience the generous, freely-given
love of God.
Columba gathered now at the final waymark.
It was over now for him, though his saintly tale
would go on inspiring many.
But now, on the hill where they dwelt, the angels waited.
Soon it would be time.
And then she came, as he rested by the millstone.
A flurry of white, like the milk she often carried
from cowshed to refectory table.
She knelt in quiet homage, laying her head on his bosom.
This pack horse had, by Columba’s love discovered a greater love
God had for all creatures.
Sighing deeply, she knew that her master would soon leave.
Wailing, she sang her funeral dirge,
whilst the dear brother attending sought to chase her away.
Columba stayed his hand.
“Let her be. She is fond of me. Let her grieve
and pour out her great need.
The Creator has revealed to her what you have yet to perceive.”
Raising frail hand, he blessed her.
Sadly, but comforted, she left him, seeing perhaps,in the corner of her tearful eyes, myriad angels
waiting to take him, no longer to Erin
but with great joy, to eternity.
[Mr G. St Columba’s Day 2023]
Mr G's Ponderings 