It was fabulous to celebrate St. Columba Day together at Knox Church this weekend and connect afterwards over cuppas and chocolate cake.

You may have heard that St. Columba was a man who was committed to pursuing peace, brought the Christian faith to Scotland, and did miracles.  Did you also know that he was convicted of plagiarism and started a war that killed 3000 people? If you’re like me then you’ll find it hard to reconcile the man of peace with the man of war. However, if we start to think of Columba as a man with his own human failings like us, rather than as a saint, then I think we’re closer to the truth and more likely to learn something from his dramatic life change; a change which he attributed to his decision to follow God and be transformed by the Holy Spirit.

On Sunday, the College met to celebrate St. Columba's Day at Knox church.  Interestingly, the genus name for dove is Columbidae.  The dove is a symbol of peace and the presence of the Holy Spirit. So how fitting, that on St. Columba day, we celebrated the work of Columbidae, the Holy Spirit, who brings peace and the ability to be transformed. 

I don’t know about you, but I believe we could all do with some more peace in our lives, our communities and the world right now!