Soli Deo Gloria

Sun bathed the island in the early morning, but it gave way to our first real rain by the time we were headed out of morning worship. So clad in our raingear we headed back to the Abbey for a reflective tour and a window into the communal living patterns of the Benedictines and the Iona Community. In both communities, there is a real integration and balancing of work and worship, of tasks and leisure and we were all asked to assess the ways that we balance our own lives.

One of the things that happens at Iona is that there is no Benediction at the morning worship, but rather we pilgrims are to move to our tasks out of the service of prayer and only say our "Amens" after we have completed them – a symbolic linking of work and prayer. So whether working or praying, all is done Soli Deo Gloria, as we sang this morning – all to the glory of God alone.

After lunch we went on our excursion to Staffa, a nearby island that is striking because of its geological formations of gray, black, and beige basalt hexagonal columns. It is also home to Fingal’s Cave, the inspiration for Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides Overture.” About 50 of us boarded the small boat and made our way past the rugged coastline of Mull being treated to seals sunning themselves on rocks en route and a lone basking shark swimming near the boat on the way back. The time spent on the top of the island itself was simply stunning – a soft green, treeless landscape that offers spectacular views of the caves and coves below as well as several nearby islands. You feel like you are literally walking on top of the world.

Following evening worship, we concluded the night with a Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-lee) at the Village Hall which featured traditional Scotch folk music and dancing (think American Square Dance with a decidedly Celtic twist). We wandered back home under a blanket of stars – including a rare and spectacular view of the Milky Way – after another full day of soaking in the goodness of this corner of the world. Soli Deo Gloria!