Mid Week Reflection – Ninian, Kessog and Kentigern

Saint Ninian 360-432

Saint Ninian as intercessor (“Ora pro nobis. Sancte Niniane”).
Donor portrait in the Book of Hours of the Virgin and Saint Ninian
Public domain

Like so many of the saints of this period our knowledge is limited and we rely on the Venerable Bede writing about 300 years after Ninian’s death.

Ninian worked in Galloway, south west of Scotland. There is archaeological evidence of a Christian presence in the area spanning the 6th, 7th and 8th centuries.

Ninian’s monastery became a centre of learning and it is thought that this forged important links between Scotland and Ireland.

Kessog 460-520

Kessog was the son of the king of Cashel in Ireland (modern day County Tipperary) He became a missionary bishop and formed a monastery at Bandry, on what is known as Monk’s Island in Loch Lomond. It is said that he brought Christianity to the area around the village of Luss on the west bank of Loch Lomond. He was martyred in 520, there is a pile of stones at Bandry known as St Kessog’s Cairn (A cairn is a human made pile or stack of stones). There has been over 1500 years of continuous Christian presence in the area.

Kentigern

(Celtic: High Lord) also known as Mungo (Celtic: My Dear Friend), died 612

Stained glass window of Myrddin (Merlin) being converted to Christianity by Saint Kentigern Stobo Kirk, Borders, Scotland.
Public Domain

Kentigern is thought to have been the first Bishop of Glasgow and an evangelist in south west Scotland. He also may have ventured into Cumbria.
It is also possible that he collaborated with Columba of Iona.

You may wish use your trusted search engine for more information of ‘Scottish Celtic Saints.’

+ In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Lord of heaven and earth,
as Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer,
give us patience and courage never to lose hope,
but always to bring our prayers before you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Common Worship Collect for the 10th Sunday of Trinity)

The Word of the Lord
(Verses from the readings from those set for the 10th Sunday of Trinity)

Psalm 130
1 Out of the depths have I cried to you, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice; •
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
2 If you, Lord, were to mark what is done amiss, •
O Lord, who could stand?
3 But there is forgiveness with you, •
so that you shall be feared.
4 I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; •
in his word is my hope.
5 My soul waits for the Lord,
more than the night watch for the morning, •
more than the night watch for the morning.
6 O Israel, wait for the Lord, •
for with the Lord there is mercy;
7 With him is plenteous redemption •
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

Pause

John 6 (35, 47-51)
Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’

Pause

Let us reflect on the lives of the women and men of faith who lived during the early medieval period, the early Middle Ages, giving thanks for the communities they established. These were in so many ways ‘dark ages’ yet these early Celtic Christians sought to maintain the light of Christ, a light that did shine in the darkness. They cultivated the land and sowed the seeds of faith that enriched countless thousands of people’s lives and continue to enrich our lives in 2021.

In my going out
and coming in,
my rising
and sleeping,
watch over me,
keep me from harm.

In summer sun
and winter rain,
my joyfulness
and sorrow,
watch over me,
keep me from harm.

In the darkness
and in lighter days,
my fears
and comfort,
watch over me,
keep me from harm

Let your light so shine
within this world
that all lying hidden
within the shadows
might be revealed
– all falsehood, envy,
prejudice and greed
– that which seeks to sow
the seeds of distrust,
suspicion and fear.
Shine brightly, Lord,
within this world,
that those who walk
within the shadows
might step outside
into the warmth
of your light and love. (John Birch)

Let us draw into our circle of prayer our:
Family
Friends
Local church and its leaders
wider community

widening our circle to include:
those in government and positions of authority
those who are oppressed
those who are hungry and homeless
those who are ill
those facing death

Merciful Father, accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The blessing of the God of life be with us in our journeying.
The blessing of the risen Christ be with us in our following.
The blessing of the Holy Spirit be with us in our questioning.
The blessing of the heavenly host be with us in our worshipping.
Bless, O God, each hour, each day, that we shall walk with you. (John Birch)

*John Birch God beside Me page 22,26 and 37

You may wish the finish this time of reflective prayer sitting silently and enjoying a peaceful moment or two. You may also think about listening to some music that has touched you or a favourite hymn or song. Enjoy these moments! God bless!

Derek Akker