The Only Foundation

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Columba, Abbot of Iona, Missionary, 597 - Memorial

Today's Readings:
[ 1 Cor 3:11-23; Ps 89:20-26; Lk 10:17-20 ]

The memorial of Columba of Iona reminds us that the Church is built not on famous missionaries, gifted leaders, or successful ministries, but on Christ alone. In today's reading from 1 Corinthians, Paul writes, "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ".

Columba was one of the great missionary saints of the early Church, carrying the Gospel from Ireland to Scotland and establishing the monastic community on Iona that would become a beacon of Christian faith for generations. Yet Paul cautions us not to place our trust in human achievements. Whether it is Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Columba, all are servants through whom God works. The foundation remains Christ.

This truth is echoed in Psalm 89, where God promises to strengthen and uphold his servant. The source of strength is not the servant himself but the Lord who says, "My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him". Columba's missionary zeal, like every Christian vocation, was sustained by God's grace rather than personal ability.

In the Gospel, the seventy disciples return rejoicing that even the demons submit to them in Jesus' name. Yet Christ redirects their attention: "Do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven". Franciscan spirituality resonates with this teaching. St. Francis warned his brothers against seeking status or taking pride in spiritual accomplishments. The true joy of the Christian life is not success, influence, or recognition, but belonging to God.

Columba's life challenges us to ask where we place our confidence. Is it in our accomplishments, our ministries, our churches, or our own strength? Or is it in Christ, the only sure foundation? When our identity rests in him, we are freed to serve boldly and humbly, knowing that all good work ultimately belongs to God.

May we, like Columba, build faithfully upon the foundation that can never be shaken.

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