alsothismorning spicebush

 

this morningspicebush

 

taken this morning...just landed

 

this morning hunting for breakfast

 

the monastery garden yesterday

 

taken yesterday morning

 

Sept 10 2006

Is 35:4-7a Thus says the LORD: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing. Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe. The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water.


Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!
The God of Jacob keeps faith forever,secures justice for the oppressed,gives food to the hungry.The LORD sets captives free
.R. Praise the Lord, my soul!or
The LORD gives sight to the blind;the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.The LORD loves the just;the LORD protects strangers.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!or
The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains,but the way of the wicked he thwarts.The LORD shall reign forever;your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!or

Jas 2:1-5 My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please, ”while you say to the poor one, “Stand there, ” or “Sit at my feet, ”have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Did not God choose those who are poor in the worldto be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?

Mk 7:31-37 Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,“Ephphatha!” -. that is, “Be opened!” --And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said,“He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

It is recollection Sunday here at Holy Name Monastery which means silence outside of dining times. It is ironic that it is the sunday of the Gospel story of the person who could not speak or hear being healed. "Ephphatha" is Aramaic which is a marvel and one of the three times Aramaic is used in the Bible that we use for daily lectio. I must admit that although I am an educator my emphasis is not always on words but more visual, experiential and tactile. I agree with the Scriptural passage that says in effect in a flood of words you will not avoid sin.

The Rule of St Benedict also recommends a certain humility of manner that avoids a flood of loud words and encourages a reflective mature, measured use of words in a respectful living of the way of God. I can certainly readily say that I have put my "foot in my mouth" and said things in a way that I wished that after the words came out that I had never said them. I am working on the balance. Complete silence is not always the most Christian way, but with words there needs to be a thoughtful, respectful gentleness and empathy. I am still learning and in my daily review of conscience not the ways that I need to improve in my communications with others. My spirit is willing and ready and I believe it is a lifelong process that continues to deepen and mature through life.

In monastic life there is a daily conversion and turning to God. There are many times of contemplation, meditation and ways to learn daily how to live a more Christian life united in Christ in the Gospel ways in all acts and thoughts. It is like a daily turning of the soil and the soil is the humus that makes the humility of my soul that St Benedict teaches about with great practicality and wisdom.

In monastic life the path to the kingdom is not alone but in union with Christ and the community. It is another obedience a listening with a clean and willing heart to others on the journey and being willing to change with their direction and reflection also. I am filled with joy and gratitude that I am a Benedictine Sister and find every day living in the House of the Lord is a special blessing and challenge to grow in my faith.

Vatican Radio has a beautiful audio interview for 16 minutes with Abbot Notker Wolf that was just posted yesterday Sept 9th. He talks about the Pope's native Bavaria but he more so talks about the Benedictine monastic way of life. His voice has a wonderful tenderness and his words are filled with wisdom and joy.

Who am I? Why am I here? What is God calling me to?
It is a central part of who I am and inseparable from who I am that I am a Benedictine Sister who is a member of the community of Holy Name Monastery. I am here to serve God first and live a Gospel life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict. What is God calling me to? I am being called to continue daily lectio reflections here to made available to anyone who finds them and wishes to follow them. I am called to live my vows as a Religious Sister in First Vows with now preparations for Perpetual Vows in one year. September 18th is the second year of the First Vows that I took. I pray for clarity, peace, joy and faithfulness on this journey. I am thankful for all the many blessings that I have received.