Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

St. Kevin and the blackbird

Monday, March 28, 2016

Acts 2 (Psalm 16)
I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed ... You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.

When Bernie Sanders was speaking this weekend, a sparrow flew up and paused on his podium. He smiled - everyone smiled. He appreciated his audience.

On Easter morning I read a story about a monk in the 6th century. His name was Kevin. Now, keep in mind that monasteries were rare in Europe, where Benedict was just beginning his ministry, except in Ireland. Kevin founded a monastery there on a lake near Glendalough, an hour southwest of Dublin near Wicklow Mountains National Park. Glendalough (say it with feeling!) is a very beautiful place these days and was probably even more beautiful then.

Near the Upper Lake Kevin lived as a hermit for seven years. He didn't eat much: nuts, herbs, and drank only water. Although his life was severe it was no different from those animals around him who also ate nuts, herbs, and drank only water.

He prayed, as we do sometimes, with his arms outstretched. He prayed in his hut, but it was so small one arm reached out the window.

"Oh Lord I praise you and worship you. This is your day. Thank you for letting me live in it." Kevin prayed. Then he opened his eyes, because he felt a blackbird settle into his palm. The blackbird brought the beginnings of its nest, and then as Kevin prayed, came back with more. Kevin knew he could not pull back his hand without destroying the life that was budding in the nest.

What would Kevin do? He left his hand for the blackbird, and for her eggs to hatch, and for the baby birds to grow and fly away. Of course he did. And now we know him as St. Kevin. What a wonderful story from Ireland of surrender and graceful listening.

Kevin heard the blackbird and he saw God. Jesus walked with him as he gathered nuts and herbs, and drank only water. He had very little else to occupy his mind; it was empty and ready to be filled.

This story was recounted by artist Christine Valters Paintner. She points out that grace and hospitality is St. Kevin's response to the blackbird. He must have spent very little time thinking about how to extricate himself from this situation, which he had not planned. He was simply too busy submitting to it.

So Christine asks, "How many times in our lives do we reach out our hands for a particular purpose, and something else arrives? But in our wiser moments we know that this is a holy gift we are invited to receive."

And then Lord, may I simply become too busy submitting to it to notice my discomfort. Let me reset with you, let me rest with you today, Jesus. Let me flutter down and rest in the palm of our Father's hand.

Devotions Archive

St. Kevin and the blackbird

Monday, March 28, 2016