If you read anywhere about the life of Cuthbert, you probably won't get far before you find the author talking about his kindness, obedience, devotion to God and various similar characteristics. Many well known saints of old are famous either for doing amazing things, or at least had legends attached to them of heroic deeds which may or not be completely true. Being famous for devotion to God might seem a bit wishy-washy in comparison with fighting dragons or standing fast in the face of martyrdom. Yet Cuthbert was renowned for loving God and then also for the great work and miracles that he performed out of that relationship.
Born in 634 or 635 AD, he lived in Northumbria, probably the northern part of that kingdom in what is now southern Scotland. Northumbria had been partially converted to Christianity in recent years, largely through the brilliant missionary work of Aiden, who founded the monastry at Lindisfarne, but there was still a lot to do. As a 16-year old shepherd, Cuthbert had a vision of a soul being carried to Heaven by angels, which he realized the next day must have been Aiden when he heard that he had died that night. Clearly Cuthbert was open to spiritual encounters as a young man and God wanted him to see this event for a reason. Certainly this vision was what made him decide to become a monk himself.
However, a war arose between Northumbria and the neighbouring Mercia in which King Penda was killed, opening Mercia more easily to the spread of the gospel, notably by Chad. Cuthbert, it seems, was drafted into the army and took part in the battles, which must have been quite a formative experience. After the death of Penda in 655, life returned to normal and Cuthbert entered the monastry at what is now Melrose. The spirituality of his character was noticed and he rose through the ranks to become Prior of Melrose in 662.
At the time there was a dispute between the Celtic Church spreading across England from the north and west, and the Roman Church, spreading out from Kent where it had first been introduced by Augustine in 597. At a meeting between the two in 664, at Whitby, it was decided that everyone should follow the Roman system where the two differed. Cuthbert recognized that, whatever one's views, there was no going back and used his growing leadership skills to introduce the new ways to the Celtic Christians in his charge. It was important that this was done decisively but sympathetically for it to be successful, and Cuthbert was one of the key people in causing the change over to be as smooth as possible. His life and skill set continued to gain attention and he was appointed Prior of Lindisfarne, where his patience and kindness were invaluable in helping the Celtic monks there to adopt the new Roman ways as well.
As prior at Melrose and Lindisfarne, Cuthbert had not sat back in luxury. There were poor and needy people in the surrounding villages and the gospel still needed to be spread. Much of the countryside was unforgiving and travel was difficult. However, he saw his the mission to usher in the Kingdom of God as his work, rather than just ruling over a monastry. He became known for evangelism, preaching, pastoral work, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, working on behalf of the oppressed and working miracles. It seems that he was known for delivering words of knowledge, since when he entered a village people tended to approach him to confess their sins rather than waiting for him to come to them! He was also recorded as delivering accurate prophecy.
Cuthbert worked tirelessly for other people and the Church, but central to his almost incredible life of achievment was his even more overwhelming love for and devotion to Jesus.
After a few years at Lindisfarne he retired and decided to make a home for himself on the uninhabited Inner Farne Isle. It is here that we perhaps learn some of the secrets of his spiritual power. He became a hermit on the island because he wanted to spend his time with God. This was a practice that he had already developed to some extent, for example spending considerable numbers of hours praying in the waters of the North Sea. Living on Farne gave him the opportunity to pray, read and meditate to his heart's content. Although he lived the life of a hermit, for a while he welcomed visitors, for which purpose he even built a second house on the island. Eventually, though, he withdrew from people altogether and spent his time alone with God and his Creation, involving himself with conservation work and developing a relationship with creatures including sea otters.
Cuthbert probably thought that this was how he would live the rest of his life on Earth, but it turns out that it was actually preparation for his final role, as he was called out of retirement to be promoted to Bishop of Lindisfarne. His character, though, had been developed on Farne and while serving in the role of bishop, he retained the lifestyle of a monk devoted to God, as well as continuing in his preaching and pastoral work among the surrounding villages, even during a time of plague. When he finally retired for good, he returned to Farne, to live out his final days with his beloved Lord Jesus.
The Church of England has 'five marks fo mission', which can be summarized as evangelism, nuturing Christians, meeting the needs of others, fighting injustice, and looking after creation. Cuthbert was exemplary in all these areas, while also serving in high office in the church. His life reflected the fruit of the Spirit and he operated powerfully in several gifts of the Spirit, also having several angelic encouters. All the while he remained a humble servant of God. And how was it that an individual could be seemingly such an all round wonderful Christian? As both prior and bishop, he worked tirelessly and outstandingly for other people and for the Church, yet the power to live that life didn't come from himself; it was because he was first and foremost a lover of God, fully devoted to him - a reflection of the intimate relationship depicted in the Song of Songs. But let's not just admire or even revere him, as many have done over the centuries since: let us emulate him and draw the strength for all that we do from a deep relationship with God that is central to our lives.
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