The Place of Resurrection

The Celtic monks of the regions in and around Ireland were greatly influenced by the Desert Fathers who actually lived in barren dry places.  There were no such regions around these Celtic saints so they went to the fringe areas, to the wild places, to construct their hermitages and live in solitude seeking God.  Often they were led to such places by the winds of the Spirit as they were given some sign that they had come to the place of their resurrection.    

At first the idea of coming to a place of resurrection sounds confusing.  To some it may seem that it has something to do with dying which, of course, was not the case at all.  It was more a reference to a place where God would do something so new in their life it seemed like being infused with new life.  And while it might seem that it would be overwhelmingly positive, there was often pain in leaving a place or a situation which was home, comfortable, and where God had provided many a blessing.  

It seems that it is always hard to move toward those resurrecting kind of changes in our life.  Of course, what we know is the reality that the changes are not necessarily geographic, but more likely to be things such as separation from spiritual friends upon whom we have depended, or maybe a different worship setting, or maybe even a radical change in an understanding of the ministry God has given to us.  Pilgrimages do not always require feet.  At times a willing and obedient spirit is all that is necessary.