Ah, the Miraculous!

In my Early Medieval England class we are discussing Cuthbert of Lindisfarne who lived during the 7th Century, C.E. I just finished reading Bede's account of his life and his miracles. My favorite story goes like this:

Every night Cuthbert leaves the relative warmth of the monastery to emerge himself in the icy-cold water of the sea to pray and contemplate God--merely another self-denial act for someone living an ascetic life. One night a younger monk follows him out into the night to see what he does. He watches Cuthbert enter into the water, and watches him all night. When dawn approaches, Cuthbert allows himself out of the water. When Cuthbert reaches the shore otters greet him, breath on his cold feet to warm him up, and rub their fur to aid in drying his feet.

Cuthbert has the original sort of "dominion" over the animals...that isn't to say he commands them, but that he lives with them in harmony. The animals recognize what a holy being he is and voluntarily submit to him.

I love the miraculous stories of Cuthbert's life. There are many to argue his holiness and saintliness.