Thinking and Longing

The stream of spirituality set forth by the Celtic tradition largely went underground, or to the fringe of organized religion in the late seventh century.  The organized church was afraid of it.  It was out of step with ecclesiastical conformity so it was treated like a step child no one wanted.  All the powers that be could see were druid practices that included fairies and mystical powers.  Even today the mention of the Celtic tradition evokes thoughts of Irish music and some kind of cosmic oneness with nature.    

Actually, the stream of Celtic spirituality has much to offer to a worn out organized religion which is not quite sure what to do with the creation in its theology.  Celtic spirituality is Trinitarian to the core.  It values the Creation and sees it as a larger sacred book which reveals God's presence in the world as surely as does the Holy Book known as the Bible.  It affirms the sacredness of life and declares that every breathing creature and every physical particle bears the imprint of the creative hand of God.   

I think of this stream of spirituality when I see the landscape so filled with the holiness of the Lord being turned into something which resembles a landfill.  I think of it often when I see crowds of people collecting themselves for the living of their days in a place which does too much to disconnect their innate connection with the creation, the created, and the Creator.  I think of these ancient Celtic saints who lived so attune to the creation that "every common bush was afire with God."