Living Without School: Finding Sanctuary

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Finding Sanctuary

A book I am reading - in parts. A dribble here and a dribble there. A book I have on loan from a friend.

Monastic steps for every day life. By the Abbot of a Benedictine Monastery in Worth, U.K. Fr. Christopher Jamison.

Silence is Step 1 of the monastic steps in the book. Ouch. I tend to be enveloped in busy-ness.

Inspired by this step, I have taken time for silence.

In silence and in solitude, I start to question and doubt. Is this event/thing/whatever really from God or have I taken things into my own control-freak hands once again?

In silence, I begin to doubt God's hand in my life and I see where I take control and, I guess, don't let God have control.

Step 4 is Humility. Another ouch.

"We descend by exaltation and we ascend by humility" Rule of St Benedict, 7: Humility.

You know you have a problem with humility and pride when you are counselled on such areas and you reply, inwardly of course , I mean, who wants to admit to this out loud? - "Not again. I know it's not pride".

And of course it is. That inward dialogue certainly lacks humility.

Great book, by the way. Not built upon esoteric ideals but with every day tips for living an every day monastic life.

I may even be able to get beyond Step 4 ( Humility) ~ one day!

5 comments:

Mary G said...: I'm going to need to get this book for Lenten reflection! Next weekend I go on a silent, personal retreat and this might be a good one to stash in my pocket ...

Blessings Leonie -- and happy feast of St. Blaise!; 12:02 am
Leonie said...: I think you'd like it, Mary, its a little book but full of gems. Have a great reteat!; 7:21 am
Hopewell said...: Maybe you'd like this one?

Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today
by Joan Chittister (May 10, 1991)

Have I mentioned my [Dad's] cousin is a Benedictine?; 4:45 am
Leonie said...: Thanks - and interesting to hear about your cousin, Lisa.; 7:42 am
Hopewell said...: http://www.cppcd.org/2004%20Convention/mckinney.htm
One link to my Benedictine cousin and her work.; 12:27 am

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Prayer of Consecration of St. Maximilian Kolbe

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to thee. I, N___, a repentant sinner, cast myself at thy feet humbly imploring thee to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to thyself as thy possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases thee. If it pleases thee, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of thee: "She will crush your head," and, "Thou alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world."

Let me be a fit instrument in thine Immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed Kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever thou enters, one obtains the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through thy hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

V. Allow me to praise thee O Sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Prayer of St Bonaventure

Pierce, O most Sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, with true, serene, and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for Thee, that it may yearn for Thee and faint for Thy courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the bread of angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delight of taste; let my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, upon whom the angels desire to look, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst after Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the richness of the house of God.May it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, attain Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, and with perseverance unto the end.May Thou alone be ever my hope, my entire assurance, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savor, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession and my treasure, in whom may my mind and my heart be fixed and firmly rooted immovably henceforth and for ever. Amen.