Good Morning Everyone,

As we study St. Benedict we learn, share and practice what it means to be a good Christian.
Sister Joan writes the following, which I forward because I believe we are trying to achieve the third level of a spiritual life.

Peace,
Larry

 Three stages of the spiritual life

The spiritual life is not a template; it is a process meant to change our lives. There are stages in the spiritual life that move us from one level to another.

The first is compliance. The Ten Commandments dominate in this phase. Being spiritual in this phase depends on keeping a list of do’s and don’ts, on keeping the “rules”—whatever they are—on being perfect.

The point is that we don’t make choices in this stage. Not real choices. We simply conform or rebel. We do what we’re told but never ask ourselves whether or not what we’re doing has anything at all to do with Beatitudes or not.

The second level of the spiritual life is awareness. It has more to do with becoming a Christian than it does with going through the rituals of being Christian.

…we come to realize that though God began the process of Creation it is our responsibility to complete it. Then we set out to become the kind of people we were put on Earth to be. We begin to go out of ourselves for the sake of the world rather than simply awarding ourselves gold stars to being regular observers of ancient rituals. It is holiness, not regularity, that we are now concerned about in our spiritual life.

Finally, the third level of the spiritual life is transformation. It requires that we ourselves begin to “put on the mind of Christ.” We ourselves begin to think like the Jesus of the Mount of Beatitudes. We face what it means to be just in an unjust world, meek in an arrogant one, humble in a domineering one, compassionate in a prejudiced one, full of grief for those who suffer from suffering not of their own doing, compassionate for those who are oppressed by the indifferent of the world.

Then the truly spiritual soul sees the world as God sees the world and sets out to make it right.

—excerpted from the “Foreword” by Joan Chittister in Sick, and You Cared for Me: Homilies & Reflections for Cycle B, ed. by Deacon Jim Knipper  (Clear Faith Publishing).

Our Community

"We are all bound to the Gospel, under leadership of some kind, faced with the dictates of tradition or the cautions of experience and in need of a direction" (RB 3)

Following Wednesday's discussion of our identity as Benedictines at St. Martin's, these lines resonated.  I see us as: Bound to the Gospel, under the leadership of our ministers -- Shirley and Clay -- within an Episcopalian tradition, using the Rule as a compass in our search for living as followers of Christ.

 

We would see Jesus.

This Wednesday, we looked at the four kinds of monks that Benedict describes in the rule.  Benedict describes the lives of each of these monks and the means by which they seek Christ, and admonishes those whose path lacks depth or commitment.  And so,we asked what kind of seekers are we, in this community?  How are we Benedictine?  How are we Christians?  Are we committed to a deepening faith?  How does are commitment to the group deepen are faith?  We began to answer.  I think we each will continue to ponder.

We have been sanctified by the church. To be sanctified is to be made holy, to be separated out from ordinary for the work and use of God.  We separate ourselves out for holy time and space to grow together in Christ; we are a community of Christians, and in this we are Christians as Benedict envisioned being followers of Christ.  Over and over, we see Christ in one another and we become Christ for one another.  We would see Jesus in our midst and in the face of others.  To show up each week is to be Christ for one another and to let others be Christ for us.  Often fear of intimacy or responsibility holds us back from this kind of connection.  We also remember that each of us is responsible for our own discipline in the reading of the Word and the reading of the Rule.  It is this discipline of prayer that connects us, but it is also this discipline the strengthens us and helps us to grow.

Sr. Joan shares these words of wisdom:

The ancients say that once upon a time a disciple asked the elder,

"Holy One, is there anything I can do to make myself Enlightened?"

And the Holy One answered, "As little as you can do to make the sun rise in the morning."

"Then of what use," the surprised disciple asked, "are the spiritual exercises you prescribe?"

"To make sure," the elder said, "that you are not asleep when the sun begins to rise."

The Rule prescribes directions that will keep us, like the mythical disciple, awake until what we live, lives in us.

"Still": A poem which conveys the essence of humility

This poem conveys the essence of humility!  It's not just that we are the least, but the least is full of God's glory.

Still

 by A.R. Ammons

I said I will find what is lowly
and put the roots of my identity
down there:
each day I'll wake up
and find the lowly nearby,
a handy focus and reminder,
a ready measure of my significance,
the voice by which I would be heard,
the wills, the kinds of selfishness
I could
freely adopt as my own:

but though I have looked everywhere,
I can find nothing
to give myself to:
everything is

magnificent with existence, is in
surfeit of glory:
nothing is diminished,
nothing has been diminished for me:

I said what is more lowly than the grass:
ah, underneath,
a ground-crust of dry-burnt moss:
I looked at it closely
and said this can be my habitat: but
nestling in I
found
below the brown exterior
green mechanisms beyond the intellect
awaiting resurrection in rain: so I got up

and ran saying there is nothing lowly in the universe:
I found a beggar:
he had stumps for legs: nobody was paying
him any attention: everybody went on by:
I nestled in and found his life:
there, love shook his body like a devastation:
I said
though I have looked everywhere
I can find nothing lowly
in the universe:

I whirled though transfigurations up and down,
transfigurations of size and shape and place:

at one sudden point came still,
stood in wonder:
moss, beggar, weed, tick, pine, self, magnificent
with being!

Turning Back

 Listen carefully, my child, to my instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is advice from one who loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice. The labor of obedience will bring you back to God from whom you had drifted through the sloth of disobedience.

Today we turn back to the beginning.  We return to listen and to hear the voice of God – “to attend them with the ear of our heart.”  So today, we joined together in our recommitment to the discipline of reading and prayer and obedience.  We admit there are times when we have faltered – drifted -- from our labors, and so we encourage one another as we turn back, so that in the turning back we move forward in our spiritual journey.

We turn back as both an act of repentance and an act of conversion.  In repentance we turn away and leave behind the sloth and the distractions and the way of the world; we leave behind the excuses. And, our intention is to listen for voice of God as we read scripture and the Psalms, as we read the words of St. Benedict and Sr. Joan, as we gather together as a community. In an act of ongoing conversion, we respond to the voice of God: we obey.   To each word, to each prayer, to each day, we will choose to obey and to “faithfully put into practice.”  Or so we will try

Ideas in Passing from Joan Chittester

This morning we shared and discussed these words of wisdom from Sr. Joan.  They so fit today's readings from Jonah and 2 Cor!  Thanks Larry for sending these to us and Tom for bring this to us in prayer.

The glories of weakness

“In my weakness is my strength,” Paul writes (2 Cor. 12:10). I never understood that passage nor did I like it until, struck with polio as a young woman, I began little by little to realize that if I ever walked again, it would not be thanks to me, it would be thanks to everyone around me who formed the human chain that kept me human. When I could not move, they carried me. When I could not work, they found functions for me that justified my existence. When I could not find a reason for going on, they liked me enough to give me back a sense of human connectedness. When I could not cure myself, they cured me of the clay of my limits and turned them into life again. They taught me the glories of weakness.

When I most wanted to be strong and like no other time in life found myself defined by my weaknesses, I began to understand the great questions of life. If I do not need other people, what is their own purpose in life, what is their claim on my own gifts when they need me as I have needed them? The moment I come to realize that it is precisely the gifts which I do not myself embody that make me claimant to the gifts of others—and they of mine—marks the moment of my spiritual beginning. Suddenly, creature-hood becomes gift and power and the beginning of unlimited personal growth.

Community

Our readings have been about opening the monastery to new members and welcoming people into the community.  We have been blessed in the past two weeks with two new guests at our worship who are becoming part of our community on Wednesday mornings.  Tom has had queries from folks about our prayer group, the study of the Rule of Benedict, and meeting Wednesday mornings for prayer and support.

We ask ourselves how we become Christ for one another in our community.  We ask ourselves how we open ourselves to sharing our faith in the world around us and inviting folks into community. 


"Benedictine life is rooted in three dimensions: commitment to community, fidelity to a monastic way of life and obedience.  It is a life that sees sanctification as a by-product of human society, the development of a new way of thinking and living, and total openness to the constantly emerging challenges of the God-life within us.  To pursue Benedictine spirituality, we must carry our part of the human race and allow it to mold and polish an tember us.  We are to be people who see the globe through eyes softened by the Gospel." [Chittester, Joan.  The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages. New York: Crossroad. 1992. Page 153.]

Begin Again

"Elie Wiesel writes: 'What God gave Adam was not forgiveness from sin; what God gave Adam was the chance to begin again.' Life is made up of a series of opportunities to begin again." [Chittester, Joan.  The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages.  Crossroads: New York. 1992. page 159]

We all stray from the rules.  We eat too much; we skip church; we miss a deadline; we have that extra glass of wine.  Today, this meal, this task, this moment: we begin again.  Don't wait to start tomorrow morning, or the the beginning of next week or in the new month or the new year.  In the middle, now, begin.  Let us begin to be what God intends us to be.

Hospitality

Jane Toumaine in St. Benedict's Toolbox paraphrases Henri Nouwen's description of Hospitality from his book Reaching Out: "He [Nouwen] describes hospitality as a space around us that we create for others in which they can come, be themselves, and discover who they are.  My prayer for us this day is that as we are out in the world we create a welcoming space around us.

Work of our hands

July 31, 2014

This week’s reading had much to do with the importance of work.  Benedict places emphasis on the balance of the work of the mind and heart with the work of our hands.   He also impresses upon us that we all need to work.  Sara shared these words from Sr. Joan:

“Even the sick and the weak are t be given simple tasks that upbuild the house of God because, Benedict knows, no matter how frail, no matter how old, no one is useless; every on of us is given a gift to give and a task to fulfill.” [Chittester, Joan. The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages. July 31. New York: Crossroads, 2009. Print.]

She also shared the stories of William Wilberforce and of a courageous nun in a Benedictine Monastery in Indiana.  William Wilberforce was honored in the Episcopal Church’s cycle of prayer yesterday.  The work of his life was to abolish slavery and the slave trade in England.  He spent twenty years working toward that end, and it was not until he lay practically on his deathbed that the English Parliament stopped slavery in England.  This was his task to fulfill, and he went about the work of his lifetime.  His dedication and steadfastness through the many years of failure stand as a testimony to perseverance.

In her recent travels, Sarah and Don visited a Benedictine monastery in Indiana.  She brought back with her a booklet about the ministry of this place.   In this booklet was the story of one of then nun’s working as the Christian Education minister; this woman had been in a wheel chair most of her life.  Listening to the list of this woman’s work in the life of the church made me feel idle – she was so busy and productive.  She had found her gifts and was fulfilling the tasks set before; she seemed to overcome all impediments.

I am in awe of these driven and directed saints, who have listened for the voice of God in their lives and discerned their purpose.  I pray for this discernment.

Joan Chittister - Grace

In the midst of all the noise of everyday life: July in review

Early in July, Tom reminded us that Benedict’s rules serve to help us live together in community with the presumption that we are striving to live as Christ.  The instructions to the cellarer, who manages the community’s goods and provides for the material needs of each member in the community, remind us today about attitudes -- not only toward material goods -- but attitudes toward service and stewardship and work. This is an attitude of service and caring for one another.  We ended our conversation with these questions:  Am I doing the best job I can?  Am I caring for the people for  and with whom I work?  Am I being kind to people?

The following week Daniel posed these questions:  Are we paying attention to the shepherd? Do we recognize the Shepherd working in our lives?  A shepherd nudges with his crook to guide sheep in the direction he would have them go.  In the midst of the business of the world, we often miss the Good Shepherd’s directions, going our own way rather than the way Christ would have us go.  Daniel led us in a discussion about being aware and paying attention and listening for Christ in our lives.  Sara reminded us that the Rule begins with the word “Listen.”

The noise of our lives and our culture distracts us from the voice of Christ.  This week’s readings spoke to the conversation begun by Daniel: one reading focused on the silence following Compline; one, on reading at meals.  The silence is not just about quiet and holding our tongues, but stilling our minds and emptying out the world’s need, enabling us to listen and enabling our souls to be emptied and filled with the spirit of Christ.  This listening and stillness is prayer that centers us in faith and Christ. Larry connected this listening to the Benedictine practice of reading during meals, not difficult or rigorous texts, but readings to feed the soul as the food feeds the body. Larry ended our discussion with these words from Sr. Joan: 

“The point is that it isn’t so much the practice of reading at the table that is important in this chapter; it is the idea of groundedness in the spiritual life that could make us stop and think.  We’re all busy.  We’re all overscheduled.  We’re all trying to deal with people and projects that consume us.  We’re all spiritually thirsty.  And, we’re all responsible for filling the mind with rich ideas in order to leaven the soul.”

The Way

Reading today’s readings from Leviticus, Hebrews, and Matthew, Tom – today’s worship leader—asked us to hear these words with Benedictine ears.  We heard in these readings that rules – decrees, commandments – lead us in the way.  Following the rules we find a deeper understanding of Christ.  Conversely we also heard that when we deviate from the way, we are broken and desolate, but that if our heart is humbled and we make amends – when we remember the covenant, the rule, the way – God also remembers.  We are healed; we are chosen; we are his children.

The collect for this week focus us on Jesus as “the way, the truth, the life.”  Benedict created a community that walks in this way.  We continue to find wisdom in these Rules.

Tom also shared the song in the next post:  “Picture of Jesus” by Ben Harris.  Here are the lyrics:

Picture Of Jesus

Credits:  Ben Harper

Original Artist:  Ben Harper

It hangs above my altar


Like they hung him from a cross


I keep one in my wallet
for the times that

I feel lost


In a wooden frame with splinters


Where my family kneels to pray


And if you listen close


You'll hear the words he used to say

It has been spoken


He would come again


But would we recognize


His king among men


There was a man in our time


His words shine bright like the sun


He tried to lift the masses


And was crucified by gun

Some days have no beginning


And some days have no end


Some roads are straight and narrow


And some roads only ben
d

So let us say a prayer


For every living thing


Walking towards a light


From the cross of a king

I’ve got a picture of Jesus


In his arms my prayers rest


I've got a picture of Jesus


And with him we shall be forever blessed

Picture Of Jesus - Ben Harper

Tom shared this song with our community this morning.

Following the Tools of Good Works in our Hearts

This morning we read from Leviticus, hearing the rules to keep the people holy; we read the urgings of Paul to the Thessalonians to act as holy people.   This week in the Rule of Benedict we have begun to read about the Tools of Good Works – 73 tools to use in our work for Christ.  How we behave should be an extension of our faith and our love of Christ.  We are reminded to be guided be these rules and live by these rules with the help of the community and the leadership of the Abbot.

Our discussion this morning of the readings from scripture illuminated our the readings in Benedict. Following the rule does not bring us to Christ, but our love of Christ brings us to follow the rule so as to live our faith.   Our motivation should be for Christ not ourselves or our own rewards.  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21)

We spoke of transparency; our motives should be apparent.  Our hearts should be focused on Christ, and love of Christ should be visible in our works.  We are His people. 

Begin ....

“…. In the first place, beg of Him by most earnest prayer, that He perfect whatever good thou dost begin…” St. Benedict (2011-04-30). The Rule of St. Benedict (Kindle Locations 116-117). PlanetMonk Books. Kindle Edition.

This week ends the reading of the Rule with an admonition to embrace a zeal for goodness, recognition that the Rule is just the beginning, and the requirement to listen to the wisdom who have walked this road before us. 

This week begins the reading of the rule with a prayer that any good we do be perfected in Christ, a recognition that we are at the beginning of a journey, and the command to listen --- to incline the ear of the heart to hear Christ in the Rule. 

The ending and the beginning of the journey are the same discipline:  Work for the good, Listen for the voice of Christ in the world and words and wisdom around us, begin.  Today, each day, we begin.

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

Gratitude: Louie Schwartzberg at TEDxSF

Recently, as Tom led us in our morning prayer reflection on The Rule, we
spoke of paying attention to signs of God in our presence, listening to
the voice of God in those we meet each day, and being mindful of our
response to God in our midst.  The practice of piloting our day with God
as our navigator should shift how we see the world around us.  Tom
shared as story:  he has been visiting Martin's during its renovations,
and as a man who enjoys order, this has often been frustrating; however,
as the renovations came together, he began to appreciate the work and
efforts of the staff who have created a truly wonderful store; in a God
moment, he shared his appreciation with the store's manager, a man who
had been hearing many frustrated tales and was grateful to be recognized
for his hard work.  In light of this story, Daniel shared this video about
gratitude: