Category: Discernment

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Discernment Gospel Lectio Divina Liturgy Scripture

Seeds of life.

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Today’s gospel sees Jesus teaching through parables once again. The parable of the sower is full of rich resources for us to ponder. Each time we visit it there seems to be something new to discover and reflect on.

The image that has stayed with me today is that of the seed. Seeds are small, and apparently insignificant. Their potential is so well hidden that it can be easily overlooked or brushed aside. Yet, as Sister Verna Holyhead says in her reflection on the passage:

“The seed is a wonderful symbol of the kingdom. Small, hard, unattractive to the senses, yet within it lies the future promise and hope of green and growing things, of harvest and bread.”

Jesus tells his disciples that the meaning of the parable lies in how we receive the seed of the kingdom into our hearts. We can receive it in ways that stifle or prevent its growth, and so receive either only a fleeting benefit or no benefit at all. Or, we can prepare the soil of our hearts opening them to the life changing presence of Christ:

“Those who receive the seed in rich soil are the ones who hear the word and understand it; they are the ones who yields a harvest and produce now a hundredfold, now sixty, now thirty.”

To open our hearts in this way is risky. There is so much in our lives and our societies would harden our hearts. The challenge of living in difficult times can make us us wary and untrusting.

Jesus offers us a different way. He promises that if we give our whole attention to listening to the Word, allowing it to shape every aspect of our lives we will yield a rich harvest for ourselves and for all those we encounter.

How is Christ helping you to prepare your heart to allow his words to take root in your heart today?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Discernment Divine Office Gospel Lectio Divina Liturgy Rule of St Benedict Saints Scripture

Treasures new and old.

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As we celebrate the feast of St Benedict in increasingly uncertain times I’m reminded of his instructions to the Superior of the community. He says that the Superior should have a treasury of knowledge both old and new to draw on in leading the community.

His words left me reflecting on what the Rule could offer these times when we are so keen to embrace novelty. It drew me back to the heart of the Rule, chapter 72.

It captures the essence of the Rule with the combination of practicality and idealism that has kept the Rule relevant and grounded through the centuries. St Benedict begins by setting a high ideal for his community telling them to:

“Foster the good zeal which separates from evil and leads to God and eternal life.”

He then draws that ideal into the reality of daily life showing his disciples how to put it into practice:

“Try to be the first to show respect to one another, supporting with the greatest patience one another’s weaknesses of body or behaviour… No one is to pursue what they judge better for themselves, but instead what they judge better for someone else.”

He brings his ideal down to simple, straightforward actions that we can all put into practice. This good zeal that leads us to God is not beyond our reach, which is not the same as saying it is easy. It requires daily commitment and self sacrifice; we can find a myriad of ways to practice it every day.

It’s a call to be patient, considerate and kind in our daily interactions with one another. As we rush to develop new ways of engaging with one another and the word I hope we allow these ancient values to help shape our lives.

Where are you being called to practice good zeal in your relationships today?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Discernment Gospel Lectio Divina Scripture Uncategorized

Good News

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In today’s gospel Jesus commissions the 12 Apostles, giving them authority and sending them out to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of heaven. He says to them:

“Go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the Kingdom of heaven is close at hand.”

His words bring to mind the image of the good Shepherd, calling his sheep by name, seeking out those who are lost to bring them back into the fold of his loving care. I imagine that as the apostles listened to his words they were very aware of the people around them who felt overwhelmed and lost in the face of their challenging times.

His words resonate with me particularly because of the many people in our times who are also lost, seeking meaning, security, love and compassion in our own challenging times.

Jesus knew he was sending the Apostles on a mission that would be dangerous, uncertain and challenging. It’s a call that’s as essential for us today as it was then. Listening to the gospel this morning I thought of the many women and men who have taken up that call through the ages, seeking to support the lost and marginalised of their own times.

We are called to carry on their work, the Good News to those who feel lost today, seeking them out, helping them find their way through the challenges of life, offering them the love and compassion of Christ.

How is Christ calling you to share the Good News with those you encounter today?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Discernment Gospel Lectio Divina Prophetic voices Scripture

A promise fulfilled

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Today’s readings are full of joy, gratitude and promise. In the first reading Zechariah tells the people of Zion to rejoice because the King who promises peace is coming. The gospel begins with Jesus blessing his Father for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom in ways that are open to everyone. He also carries on with the promise saying,

“Come to me, all you who labour, and are overburdened and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn for me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

When life is challenging, difficult and painful it can be very hard for us to find anything to be grateful for. With good reason our burdens overwhelm us to the point where it takes all our strength to get from one day then to the next.

The struggles of daily life can sap our energy so that we lose sight of anything that offers us hope, or anything that we can be grateful for. In those situations we tend to struggle on, relying on our own strength and judging ourselves harshly when it isn’t enough.

These are the times Jesus is speaking about when he tells to bring our burdens to him. He promises that there will be no words of criticism or blame because of all that weighs us down.

Instead his promise is that there will warm, gentle and loving welcome into a place where we can find peace and rest. When life is challenging it can take more courage to trust and accept that promise than it does to struggle on alone.

What gives you courage to trust the promise Christ offers you today?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Discernment Eastertide Gospel Lectio Divina Liturgy Saints Scripture

Uncertainty and Belief

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Today were celebrating the feast of St Thomas. He is one of my favourite disciples because he is so direct and has the courage to ask awkward questions. I often think that he asked the questions that other people don’t quite have the nerve for.

I always feel sorry for him at the beginning of today’s gospel. There is nothing more isolating than having missed a life changing experience that everyone else in your group is talking about.

I imagine that the eight days between the two resurrection appearances must have been extremely uncomfortable for Thomas. As he heard the other disciples discussing their experience he must have wondered why he was left out. I can sense both sadness and disappointment in his response to their enthusiasm.

Yet, all that changes when Jesus appeared to them again. He doesn’t criticise or blame Thomas for his response, instead he offers him exactly what he needs to be able to believe in the resurrection:

“He spoke to Thomas ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’”

His words break down any barriers of doubt that Thomas still harboured. His acceptance of Thomas’ position enables Thomas to open his heart to believe in the reality of the risen Christ.

Jesus accepts our questions and uncertainties in exactly the same way, coming to each of us in the way that is most likely to open our heart to to accept his peace and love in our lives.

Where is the risen Christ offering you peace and love today?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Discernment Lectio Divina Scripture

With justice and integrity

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In today’s first reading the prophet Amos echoes Deuteronomy’s call to “choose life” by seeking good and not evil:

“Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and that the Lord, God of Hosts, may really be with you as you claim he is.”

His words are reminded that we don’t simply have to accept things the way they are. We have agency and choice. The choices we make, however small can affect our lives and the lives of those around us. Those choices can be for good or for ill.

We live in times that appear to offer so much choice in so many directions that it can feel overpowering, so leaving us powerless. Amos’ words remind us that this is not the case, and offer us clear guidelines for how to make the right choice, the choice that is pleasing in the sight of God:

“Hate evil, love good, maintain justice at the city gate… let justice flow like water, and integrity like an unfailing stream.”

He tells us very clearly that the key to choosing good over evil is to act with integrity and justice. It’s a call to treat everyone with respect and with the dignity their humanity deserves regardless of their background or lifestyle.

We can do that on an individual basis in our daily encounters. As responsible members of our communities we are also called to do all we can to ensure that our institutions and leaders act on these ideals.

It’s a call that makes us uncomfortable. It requires openness and self-sacrifice. We are called to admit our failings and put our needs aside for the good of another, maybe even accepting less so that they can have enough.

Where is Christ calling you to choose life today?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Discernment Divine Office Gospel Lectio Divina Liturgy Psalms Saints Scripture

Courage to be free

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As we celebrate the feast of Sts Peter and Paul I’m reflecting on courage. There’s no denying that we live in frightening and challenging times. Whatever direction we look in we risk being overwhelmed by the uncertainty and suffering people are forced to live with.

Peter and Paul do not seem to be very alike. They have different backgrounds, attitudes and experiences of Jesus. Yet, among their many differences one thing Peter and Paul have in common is courage. Among a variety of definitions of courage discussed the one that has stayed with me is the courage to change.

St Paul, the great persecutor of Christians, had the courage to allow his encounter on the Road to Damascus to change everything about how he lived. He must have risked losing friends, family, reputation and livelihood in the process.

Peter’s courage enables him to leave his nets and follow Jesus, even though he feels unequal to the task. His courage allows him to stay with Jesus as his ideas are challenged, disturbed and ultimately seems to be destroyed. Even in the face of his denial of Jesus he finds the courage to come back seeking forgiveness.

They bring to mind these words from today’s responsorial psalm:

“From all my terrors the Lord sets me free.”

In discovering the courage to to change Sts Peter and Paul were able to accept the risks, challenges and delights of allowing Christ to set them free.


Where do you find the courage to allow Christ to set you free from all that would terrorise you?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Cross Discernment Gospel Lectio Divina Scripture Truth

Finding life

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In today’s gospel Jesus is brutally honest with his disciples about the cost of following him. It will include suffering, loss, challenge and conflict. While this is true of any human life Jesus is making it clear to his disciples that following him will not help them to avoid the suffering of life.

On the contrary, he calls them to accept that suffering willingly, refusing to give into the temptations of avoidance and grumbling which can be so soul destroying. He says to them:

“Those who do not take up their cross and follow in my footsteps are not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it; those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

While his words are a challenge, they also carry hope and promise. He challenges us to look honestly at the tactics we use to numb our pain instead of accepting it as part of life and as something we can, by the grace of God, grow through towards new life.

Knowing human suffering from personal experience he offers us the hope of completely understanding our suffering, however unlikely that might sometimes appear.

He promises us that whatever sufferings we face in life he will be there with us, a compassionate, loving presence in even the darkest of times. While neither the hope nor the promise will remove the sufferings they offer a framework to encourage us to face them.

This message of hope is especially relevant today as we face dark and frightening times amidst a myriad of possible distractions that deny rather than offer hope.

What cross is Christ calling you to take up today?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Discernment Divine Office Gospel John the Baptist Lectio Divina Liturgy Scripture

From the margins

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Today we’re celebrating the birthday of St John the Baptist. From his very beginnings John is marginal, he marks the boundaries between the Old Testament and the New Testament. He calls us to look back to the rich tradition of the Old Testament with its covenant and promise, and forward to the new hope offered by the coming of Christ.

While being on the margins brings insight, wisdom and the clarity of view that those in more central positions can miss, it is an uncomfortable and often dangerous position.

Those on the margins are often ignored, misunderstood or even despised. They make us feel uncomfortable or even threatened. John the Baptist knew that all too well. Reflecting on this I was struck by these words from the hymn we sang at last night’s vigil:

“How shall we hear the Word if we despise the voice…”

They carry something of the urgency of John’s original message. They remind me that the voices that call us to be open to the transforming power of the Word are not necessarily ones we are comfortable with. If we want to hear the Word in our times we have to turn towards the voices of those on the margins today.

We have to ask ourselves whose voices are despised, silenced, ignored. Then, responding to John’s instruction, we have to listen to them and allow them to point us towards Christ.

Where are you being called to hear the Word from challenging directions today?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Discernment Gospel Lectio Divina Scripture

Freed from Fear.

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Today’s gospel addresses a powerful human emotion, fear. It’s something we all have personal experience of in a myriad of different ways. We know how fear can undermine our plans and our lives.

We know it’s power to imprison and even destroy. I think that is always part of human nature. It’s especially true in the challenging and uncertain times we live in, when so much that we thought we could rely on suddenly seems uncertain and unsafe.

We are not the only people to have lived in such times. Jesus’ disciples also lived in fearful times as members a small nation occupied by a much more powerful one. They would have known just how precarious and uncertain life can be. In that situation Jesus had a very clear message for them:

“Do not be afraid.”

Knowing the precariousness of life, and the additional dangers that his disciples will face by following him he tells them that they should not be afraid. He encourages them to be brave and bold in proclaiming the good news of the kingdom. He reminds them that they are precious in the sight of God, and deeply cherished and loved:

“Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.”

His words offer an antidote to fear. They remind us that whatever we face, however threatened we are we are held in the loving heart of God. This doesn’t mean we won’t suffer or be persecuted. It doesn’t mean we will be afraid, challenged or hurt. It does mean, as Julian of Norwich reminds us, that none of this will overcome us.

Where in your life do you most need to hear Jesus telling you “do not be afraid”?