CHAPTER 7: The welcome he receives from Alhfrith
CHAPTER 7
The welcome he receives from Alhfrith
ONCE his father Dalfinus had been buried with due honour, Wilfrid set sail with the relics of the saints and with many blessings to protect him. To the delight of the crew, a fair wind sprang up, giving them a pleasant voyage back to the haven of their native land. Alhfrith, who was reigning alongside his father Oswiu, got wind of Wilfrid’s arrival, and hearing that he was an adherent of the true Easter rule and an expert in the discipline of the Church of St Peter (to which the king himself was greatly devoted), on the advice of his faithful friend Coenwalh, king of the West Saxons, he ordered him to appear before him. Wilfrid came and greeted him peacefully in the following words: ‘Jesus Christ, the Son of God, commanded the disciples and their leader, the apostle Peter, saying: “Into whatsoever house ye enter, first say: Peace be to this house.”3 We must first lay the foundations of this peace within ourselves and establish a harmony between body and soul, in obedience to St Paul’s command: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” Then again Christ orders us to keep peace with our neighbour, saying: “Be wise and keep peace with one another.”’4
At the end of this address Alhfrith humbly prostrated himself at the feet of God’s chosen servant, received his message, and asked for his blessing. He thought it was an angel of God who spoke. Wilfrid blessed him and they talked together. The wisdom the king showed in his clever questions about details of discipline and government in the Roman Church was balanced every time by the learning and clarity of Wilfrid’s answers. The king then begged him by the Lord and by St Peter to remain at court preaching the word of God to himself and the nation, as an organ, so to say, on which the Holy Spirit might play. Wilfrid realized the king’s affection for him and agreed to stay. Then their souls intertwined in the most wonderful way, just as we read of David’s soul being knit to Jonathan’s.