CHAPTER 10: How after he had spent the whole night praying in the sea, animals ministered unto him as he came out of the
CHAPTER 10
How after he had spent the whole night praying in the sea, animals ministered unto him as he came out of the water, and how one of the monks, ill with fear at the sight, was restored by his prayers
INSIDE the monastery the man of God performed more and more signs and wonders, and his reputation kept pace. There was a nun called Aebbe, a real mother to the Lord’s handmaids, in charge of the convent of Coldingham, honoured for piety and nobility alike, for she was King Oswiu’s sister. She sent to Cuthbert to ask if he would come and exhort the community. So kind a request could not be refused. He came and stayed a few days, showing them the way of righteousness in deed as well as word. He was in the habit of rising at the dead of night, while everyone else was sleeping, to go out and pray, returning just in time for morning prayers. One night one of the monks watched him creep out, then followed him stealthily to see where he was going and what he was about. Down he went towards the beach beneath the monastery and out into the sea until he was up to his arms and neck in deep water. The splash of the waves accompanied his vigil throughout the dark hours of the night. At daybreak he came out, knelt down on the sand, and prayed. Then two otters bounded out of the water, stretched themselves out before him, warmed his feet with their breath, and tried to dry him on their fur. They finished, received his blessing, and slipped back to their watery home. He was soon home and was in choir at the proper time with the rest of the monks. But the brother who had spied on him from the cliffs returned with faltering steps, fear-stricken and distressed. He prostrated himself before Cuthbert and, in tears, craved pardon for his stupidity and presumption, quite sure that Cuthbert knew the cause of his discomfort.
‘Why, what is wrong, what have you done?’ asked the saint. ‘Have you been spying on my night’s work? I will forgive you, but only if you promise not to tell anyone while I am still alive.’
In this he followed his Master, who, when He had revealed the glory of His Majesty on the mount, warned the disciples, saying: ‘Tell no man until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead.’1 The brother promised, received a blessing, and was freed from the guilt and embarrassment he had so rashly incurred; but the silence he preserved while Cuthbert was living he more than made up for once the saint was dead.