Today’s story concerns two monks and the first copyright dispute in recorded history. Columba (521-597) was a junior monk and Finnian served as his mentor and Abbot at an Irish monastery. Finnian had in his possession a rare and valuable copy of the Book of Psalms. Columba secretly copied it, fearing refusal if he sought Finnian’s permission. When Finnian found out about it, he accused Columba of illegal copying and ordered the copy be returned. Columba refused, insisting the copy properly belonged to him. Finnian asked the king to arbitrate their dispute. The king ruled in Finnian’s favor announcing, “To every cow belongs its calf; to every book its copy.” Columba was unhappy with the verdict and told his extended family about it. His clan, who already had issues of its own with the king, mounted an uprising. Three thousand people died in the ensuing battle. Columba was exiled by fellow clergy for his part in the dispute and ordered to convert three thousand people to Christianity.
Columba took his punishment to heart and traveled to Iona, Scotland to establish a church and monastery there. He devoted the remainder of his life to the Iona mission with uncommon vigor and spiritual zeal. He tirelessly labored to spread the gospel in Scotland and introduce people to Christ. Columba’s prayer is a fitting way to close this story:
Columba
Let me bless Almighty God, whose power extends over sea and land,
whose angels watch over all,
let me study sacred books to calm my soul.
I pray for peace,
kneeling at heaven’s gates.
Let me do my daily work,
gathering seaweed, catching fish,
giving food to the poor.
Let me say my daily prayers,
sometimes chanting, sometimes quiet,
always thanking God.
Delightful it is to live,
on a peaceful isle, in a quiet cell,
serving the King of Kings.
Rev. Dr. Peter James served 42 years as the senior of Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA — 21 years in the 20th century and 21 years in the 21st century. He retired in 2021 and now serves as Pastor-in-Residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Even as a pastor, prayer came slowly to Pete. Read Pete’s story.