Grace: Bede’s Life of Cuthbert: Chapter XI
This is another iconic image of Cuthbert as he sails away on his many voyages around the Northumberland coastline. On this occasion he is not sailing to his solitude, but as part of his ministry as Prior.
This image also reminds me of another northern saint – further north – Magnus of Orkney. He was a martyr to the cause of peace in the fierce Viking wars of the time. He had himself tied to the mast of one of the fighting ships, and sang psalms of praise to God throughout the battle! I imagine a little boat like Cuthbert’s here. He survived that bout, and eventually became an Earl in his own right, but was later slain by his feuding cousin. This is a great account of the legends around him: Who was St Magnus of Orkney? – St. Magnus The Martyr
HOW, WHEN THE SAILORS WERE PREVENTED FROM SAILING BY BAD WEATHER, HE PREDICTED THAT IT WOULD BE FINE ON A CERTAIN DAY, AND HOW HE OBTAINED FOOD BY PRAYER
MEANWHILE the man of God began to wax strong in the spirit of prophecy, to foretell future events, and to describe to those he was with what things were going on elsewhere. Once upon a time he left the monastery for some necessary reason, and went by sea to the land of the Picts, which is called Niduari. Two of the brethren accompanied him; and one of these, who afterwards discharged the priest’s office, made known to several the miracle which the man of God there performed.
They arrived there the day after Christmas-day, hoping, because the weather and sea were both tranquil, that they should soon return; and for this reason they took no food with them. They were, however, deceived in their expectations; for no sooner were they come to land, than a tempest arose, and prevented them from returning. After stopping there several days, suffering from cold and hunger, the day of the holy Epiphany was at hand, and the man of God, who had spent the night in prayer and watching, not in idleness or sloth, addressed them with cheerful and soothing language, as he was accustomed: “Why do we remain here idle? Let us do the best we can to save ourselves. The ground is covered with snow, and the heaven with clouds; the currents of both winds and waves are right against us: we are famished with hunger, and there is no one to relieve us. Let us importune the Lord with our prayers, that, as He opened to his people a path through the Red Sea, and miraculously fed them in the wilderness, He may take pity on us also in our present distress. If our faith does not waver, I do not think He will suffer us to remain all this day fasting-a day which He formerly made so bright with his heavenly majesty.
I pray you, therefore, to come with me and see what provision He has made for us, that we may ourselves rejoice in his joy.” Saying these words, he led them to the shore where he himself had been accustomed to pray at night. On their arrival, they found there three pieces of dolphin’s flesh, looking as if some one had cut them and prepared them to be cooked. They fell on their knees and gave thanks to God. “You see, my beloved brethren,” said Cuthbert, “how great is the grace of God to him who hopes and trusts in the Lord. Behold, He has prepared food for his servants; and by the number three points out to us how long we must remain here. Take, therefore, the gifts which Christ has sent us; let us go and refresh ourselves, and abide here without fear, for after three days there will most assuredly be a calm, both of the heavens and of the sea.” All this was so as he had said: three days the storm lasted most violently; on the fourth day the promised calm followed, and they returned with a fair wind home.
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Grace is usually defined as the gratuitous gift from God to the undeserving. Though I don’t find God’s grace to make any sort of distinction between the deserving or the undeserving – Grace is the gratuity, the generosity, the pouring forth, the self-giving of God, because God chooses to give. Our response to grace is not one of self-justification, but of gratitude.
So many of the stories of Cuthbert (like this one) are a constant to-ing and fro-ing in this relationship of grace. Cuthbert, or his friends, are in need; God gives; Cuthbert thanks and praises. Sometimes Cuthbert is not in need, and God gives anyway (remember the gift of bread which we read about in chapter 7?); and Cuthbert thanks and praises. If (as our Scripture and teachings suggests) we are to be in imitation of God, then we too need to give of ourselves gratuitously. One of the ways we can practise this might be in giving ourselves freely to the adoration and praise of God.
“The hermit’s prayer is an assiduous path between adoration and praise. She realises, in a special way, “the confessio Trinitas which characterises all Christian life, recognising with admiration the sublime beauty of God [Mother]Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and joyfully witnessing to God’s loving condescension for every human being”. Adoration is the first attitude of one who recognises themself as a creature before their Creator. It exalts the greatness of the God who created us and the omnipotence of the Saviour who frees us from evil. It is the prostration of the spirit before the “God of glory” and the respectful silence in the presence of God, always greater than us”. HLPC 18
An assiduous prayer of gratitude might come naturally to a hermit – she has a lot to be grateful for! But how is it achieved? Through the liturgies of the Office and the psalms; through spiritual reading and through study – yes – all of those. But mostly (for this hermit anyway) through a constant companionship throughout the day.
The encyclical Dei Verbum (1965) further explains: “Grace is God’s communication to us of Godself. God’s love for us is such that God became human, incarnate as a man in a specific time and a specific place. This Word made flesh is the culmination, the manifestation, the fullest Revelation of God to humanity in Creation.”
I am always a bit intrigued by that ”became” (God became human). If our humanity, from the beginning of our history (Genesis), is formed in the image of GOD – the image of GOD’s humanity – then how could GOD ever be not-human? How could we be made in the image of something that GOD once was not?
So, “by the grace of GOD” – by God’s free gift – I share in GOD’s humanity – the humanity of Christ – and shared with the whole of the human race, And this grace of humanity – this gift of Godself – is freely given.
As is the meal of dolphin flesh found on the seashore.
I like to use this prayer shared by Cuthbert with his companions before they began their dolphin meal, as a grace or blessing, a moment of acknowledgement of dependence, of gratitude, of wonder and of adoration.
How good is the grace of God, to those who hope and trust
in God, who behold has prepared this place for us.
Let us take therefore these gifts which Christ has sent
Let us refresh ourselves and abide here without fear. Amen.