Amidst the tempest's fury on the Scottish island of Iona, our pilgrimage to St. Columba’s Bay became a journey of self-discovery and brotherhood. As rain cascaded and winds howled, the bonds of friendship and the echoes of our shared pasts converged, transforming us from boys to men. Through laughter, tears, and unexpected tumbles into the River Spey, we found redemption and renewal, leaving behind our "Columba's tears" and emerging changed by the transformative power of experience and kinship.

But to view all of life as a test? It seems that’s a recipe for performance and a sub-surface simmering fear of failure.

What is the gospel for today? We need a salve for our wounds. Salve is the root word of “salvation.” The word actually means healing. We need salvation.

It was good work, but it wasn’t easy. In fact, there were moments that were downright frustrating. There are some parallels with wood splitting and story-work counseling.

But as my heart has been opened on the mountain top, making me more vulnerable to the evil fingers of shame and fear. They start their work quickly.