Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
“I give to you, my children, these final words: ‘Be at peace with one another, bound together by mutual and unfeigned love. If you do this, according to the example of the ancient fathers, God, who gives strength to the righteous, will bless you: and I, abiding with Him, shall intercede for you. Not only will God provide all things needed for this preesent life, but He shall prepare for you the blessings of eternity.”
St Columba’s last reported words of blessing in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 767.
Columba was about to see the Lord. Notice the repeating theme in his last words of blessing. “I give to you…God who gives…not only will God provide…He shall prepare…”
Columba gives them a blessing because God gives blessing, God provides, and God prepares. And Columba adds that because he himself will be “abiding” with God, he will continue to intercede for us.
I love this picture. As death is all around us. Those who die in Christ are more alive than ever, and they are interceding for us in the great cloud of witnesses cheering us on to run the race marked out for us.
And we must remember that we can be generous in living, giving, serving, and loving because God has been generous and continues to be generous to us.
In light of this, let us richly spread peace, “mutual and unfeigned love,” and blessing today!