Living With Compassion - Tuesday, 21 May

The day began wet and dreary with admonitions that it was going to be cold and wet so be sure to dress warmly and plan for rain.  We traveled across the northern part of Wales to explore Clynnog  Fawr and Ynys Llanddwyn (Dwynwen's Island).

The bus ride was to be long but it actually sped along with wonderful views of the Welsh countryside.  The mist and fog added a sense of mystery and wonder.  We saw sheep and lovely green fields.

We arrived at Cynnog Fawr for our morning prayers and started the day with the lovely reminder...
In the busyness of this day
grant us a stillness of seeing, O God.
In the conflicting voices of our hearts
grant us a calmness of hearing.
Let our seeing and our hearing, our words and our actions
be rooted in a silent certainty of your presence.
Let our lives be rooted in the ground of your peace, O God,
let us be rooted in the depth of  your peace.

This closing prayer was a reminder of how Celtic spirituality is part of everyday.  It touched me and called me to remember this each of my 'busyness' days.   It is easy when the day is dedicated to our journey and it is a good reminder that I can hold onto this each day.

The mists and warmth of the local church which is the site of church founded by St. Beuno as a  'clas'- combination monastic community and college unique to the Celtic church.  It was a  stop for pilgrims on the way to/from Bardsey Island and some pilgrims shared the space with us while we were there. It was  fitting and wonderfully reflective space for our 2013 pilgrims.

After lunch in Caernarfon (passing by the castle where the Prince of  Wales was crowned) we headed to Ynys Llanddwyn.  The rain and clouds cleared and we could experience the island in all its glory!  The waves beating on the beach, the sun shining on the ruins of Dwynwen's abby, the dogs running on the beach and great beach walking made for a spectacular afternoon.  I took the opportunity to just sit overlooking the ocean and 'be'.  It was a great reminder that I actually am a human being.  The island has been the destination for pilgrims for centuries and I am grateful to have been one today.

The trip home was lovely and we were able to see gorgeous scenery at every turn in the road.  In the clear sky, we saw slate mines, wind farms, the mountains, the sea, the quarry, many sheep including lambs and one lovely view right after another. The journey continues and I look forward to each day because I trust I am rooted in the ground of God's peace.