The Iona Abbey Sanctuary presents itself as a space  of contemplation.  The silence echoes off the walls. The Window behind the chancel draws your attention to the communion table, the simple cross and the beauty of God’s creation beyond the stone wall boundary.

The pillars all along the length of the sanctuary not only hold up the roof, but they also hold the narrative of the Abbey over the centuries. Each pillar tells of contemplation and prayer. Or they tell the story of active or  busy side of life.  For the monks who worked and prayed in the abbey for centuries, both parts were their everyday life. Contemplation and worship is part of everyday life just as work and action.  They didn’t leave all the business or worldliness of life at the door.  The two parts come together, as part of the life of faith,  both inside and outside the stone walls.

On the pillars is a monkey and a cat.  The monkey represents the active busy side; the cat reminds us of the stillness of contemplation and prayer.  There is also a carving of a cow being brought to slaughter. Everyday life is both inside and outside our space of worship and prayer.

Prayer 

Grant us, Lord, the balance
of action and stillness,
of work and play
that fits the wholeness you intend for us.
Guide us to see that all is prayer
inside and outside of our worship space.
Open us to know that all things are
part of life with you. 

Amen.

Adapted from A Pilgrim’s Guide to Iona Abbey by Chris Polhill.