Spirituality

Christ of the Celts, The Healing of Creation
J. Philip Newell

“There is a longing for peace deep within the human soul today. It is a yearning within us and between us in the most important relationships of our lives.” So begins Newell’s book, Christ of the Celts. Newell brings to life a Christ that is very different from the Christ that we were taught in our Western Christianity. The Celtic Christ is an integrated and sacred part of all creation and is not separated from the universe as taught in Western Christianity. Celtic spirituality was greatly influenced by the Apostle John who laid his head on the chest of Jesus at the last supper and heard the Heartbeat of God. The Heartbeat of God beats throughout the entire universe and can be heard if one takes the time to listen. Newell explores the Genesis story of creation with humans being created in the image of God and how the Garden of Edna exists in all of us and how we have lost it.
Newell looks at the idea of original sin which came about in the 4th century. As child, Newell asked how could God whom we call Love, leave anyone behind if we could not leave behind our loved ones. As part of the answer to his question, Newell tells the ancient Irish legend of Saint Patrick. “Patrick is summoned to the One, in whose presence the sound of all living things can be heard and whose voice is like the flowing waters of every river. When the message is conveyed to Patrick, he responds by saying, “I will not come unless all my people may come with me.” Again Patrick is summoned, and again he responds, “I will not come unless all my people may come with me.” A third time Patrick is summoned, and a third time he declines. So finally the One seated on the throne at the heart of the universe says, “Tell Patrick to come and he may come with all his people, but there is one thing Patrick must do.” And the story ends.” But we know that Patrick will do what is asked because of love.
Celtic spirituality also teaches that creation is not something that occurred at one moment in time but is forever being repeated. As Newell wrote “It is forever coming out of the Womb of the Eternal, and God forever sees what is being born as sacred. The feminine part of God was admired by the Celts and is prominent in Celtic spirituality. Menstruation, sexuality, the birth process are seen as part of God’s ongoing creation process. Mary is admired as a Mother and not a perpetual virgin. Even the New Testament states that Jesus had biological brothers and sisters. Again in the 4th century the view of God as the Unity from which all life begins was replaced by the separation of spiritual and physical unity. Physical unity became viewed as a necessary evil for the continuation of the species.
Celtic spirituality combines all of God’s creation together. Humans are not separated from the rest of God’s creation. The Holy One lives in all of the creation. Newell brings to his readers a Christ who was not been influenced by the powers of an Imperial Rome in the 4th century.
For those seeking a different way to view Christ, I recommend reading J. Philip Newell’s book, Christ of the Celts, The Healing of Creation.