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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Divine Office Eastertide Lectio Divina Prophetic voices Saints St Julian of Norwich Uncategorized

No bigger than a hazelnut

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I’m revisiting the work of Julian of Norwich on her feast day. She has a gentle and unshakeable certainty that is calming and soothing in challenging times. Today I’ve been reflecting on these words:

“And in this he showed me something small, no bigger than a hazelnut, lying in the palm of my hand…In this little thing I saw three properties. The first is that God made it, the second is that God loves it, the third is that God preserves it.”

They’re some of her most famous and well known words. They remind me of the of the fragility of our human life and of all of creation. The crises we’ve faced in the past few years have taught us taught us how little control we have over the events that affect us. We will never again be quite so enthralled by that beguiling myth that we control our own destiny.

Our challenging and uncertain times leave us all too all too aware that our lives are every bit as small and fragile as the hazelnut Julian describes. We will always now wonder, as she did, how anything so small and fragile could exist. That could be a despairing thought, especially in these times.

Yet, Julian’s revelation carries on and God shows her that it is held in being by the love of God. That love turns any despair we might feel in the face of our fragility into hope. As we tentatively navigate these challenging and uncertain times, that hope in the loving presence of God, holding us in being, gently cradling us in our fragility is essential.

Where are you aware of your need to be cradled in the love of God today?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Discernment Eastertide Gospel Lectio Divina Liturgy Saints Scripture Uncategorized

Renewed in love.

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I find it really helpful that we hear the Easter gospels repeatedly during Eastertide. They all hold too much wisdom for just one reflection. Today we’re revisiting Jesus’ appearance to the disciples on the beach and I’m reflecting on Jesus’s conversation with Peter.

It’s the first time they’ve spoken since Peter’s denial of Jesus in Holy Week. I can imagine that Peter felt the full weight of that as he walked along the beach with Jesus after the meal. Jesus doesn’t revisit Peter’s betrayal. He offers him a way forward into renewed and healed relationship. He says to Peter:

“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others do?”

When Peter replies “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus accepts that with no questioning or recrimination based on his earlier betrayal. Instead he offers them a commission:

‘Feed my lambs.’

Yet he repeats the question twice more until Peter, getting upset, repeats his affirmation again:

“Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”

We have no idea why Jesus repeats his question, but I assume that it’s to reassure Peter. I can’t imagine that the risen Christ needed the reassurance. Jesus allows Peter the opportunity to reaffirm his love for Jesus three times and then to be commissioned by him three times.

This doesn’t undo his denial, but it balances it it in a way that I imagine Peter will find helpful to remember in his darker moments. We too need the opportunity to reset & renew our relationship with Christ from time to time.

As we move through Eastertide where is the risen Christ inviting you to a renewed relationship?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Eastertide Lectio Divina Liturgy Prayer Resurrection Saints Uncategorized

Action & contemplation.

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Today we celebrate the feast of St Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church. A third order Dominican she was a woman of both action and prayer. She took a public role in the life of the church, speaking out against schism, promoting unity and advocating for clerical reform. These words from her dialogue on Divine Revelation touched me:

“By your light you enlighten our minds… In this light I know you and I picture you to myself as the supreme good, the good beyond all good… Beauty beyond all beauty, wisdom beyond all wisdom. You are the food of angels, who gave yourself to us in the fire of your love.”

Her public activity was nourished and sustained by the prayer that kept her connected to the God who is the supreme good. It was because she drew her strength from the fire of God’s love that she gained the courage to speak truth to those in authority.

She speaks to me especially powerfully at this time, when our world seems so consumed by cruelty and suffering. In such times it can be hard to see the goodness, beauty and wisdom of God in our lives. It’s easy to get discouraged, to feel swamped by sufferings we can’t alleviate. We can be drawn to despair which stops us from acting at all or we can rush in, attempting to fix everything, ending up burnt out and exhausted.

St Catherine’s example suggests an alternative. We could begin by building up a prayer life that connects us to the fire of God’s love in a way that nourishes and sustains us in all of our actions and all that we are called to face.

How does the fire of God’s love nourish you in all that you face in life?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Divine Office Eastertide Gospel Lectio Divina Liturgy Resurrection Scripture Uncategorized

Resurrection Joy

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All through the Easter Octave we revisit the story of the resurrection again and again. Each time we hear it from a fresh perspective, hearing a different response and picking up a different nuance. This can sometimes feel frustrating and confusing, but there is a gift in all this variety.

If nothing else, they show us how how impossible it is to completely capture or understand the reality of the resurrection, and is good for us to know that.

They’ve gone to the tomb early Mary Magdalen and “the other Mary” they’ve come through earthquake and an encounter with an angel, before running off full of “awe and great joy” to share their news with the disciples. Their encounter with the resurrection is full of drama and movement, quite different from John’s account where Mary meets the risen Christ alone in the quiet of the garden.

When they encounter Jesus on the path he says to them:

“Do not be afraid; go tell the disciples that they must leave for Galilee; they will see me there.”

“Do not be afraid” is a theme that runs through the resurrection gospels, it begins almost every encounter with the risen Christ. I’m struck that Jesus acknowledges and calms their fear, yet doesn’t allow it to prevent him from sending them out to proclaim the resurrection. This is also true for us, the risen Christ knows our fears, our doubts, the uncertainties we live with. In the midst of all that he invites us to rejoice in his resurrection and to proclaim its reality with our lives.

Where is the risen Christ bringing joy into your life today?

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Baptism Benedictine Spirituality Christ Gospel Holy Week Lectio Divina Lent Scripture Uncategorized

The anointed one.

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The 41st word in my Lent lexicon is:

ANOINTED.

It’s a word that has deep roots in our faith history and in our liturgical practices. At baptism we are all anointed with chrism to share in Christ’s role as “priest, prophet and king.” We are anointed again at our death. Throughout the Scripture anointing marks someone as having a special role from God.

Today’s gospel opens a new perspective on anointing. In frightening and uncertain times the disciples gather at Martha’s house It offers them an oasis of hospitality and safety in the increasingly dangerous times.

In times of great danger questions and doubts that we thought we’d put to rest often resurface so it is easy to understand Judas’ distrust and questioning. I imagine he wasn’t the only one feeling that way.

In the midst of the tension Mary’s action provides a fresh focus. Her action doesn’t deny or banish the fear or the danger, instead it points to a deeper reality:

“Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it and anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was full of the scent of the ointment.”

Her anointing once again marks Jesus as the chosen one of God. Jesus tells his disciples that she has anointed him for his burial, acknowledging that he is facing death, and preparing his disciples for that. As the scent of her ointment fills the house her simple action is a sign that love is stronger even than death. As she anoints Jesus she reminds us that our Holy Week journey ultimately leads us through death to the new life of resurrection.

As we move through Holy Week how does the anointing of your baptism sustain you?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Gospel Lectio Divina Lent Scripture Uncategorized

Called to be compassionate.

The thirteenth word in my Lent lexicon is:

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COMPASSION.

We’re called to be compassionate as God our Father is compassionate. It’s always an important part of our call. In these challenging times when our structures seem so precarious it is even more essential to learn how to be compassionate.

There are so many ways we can misunderstand, misconstrue and judge others harshly that it can come to seem the norm. It can be difficult to take a stand against it, yet in today’s gospel Jesus makes it clear that being judgemental can never be the way of the gospel. His Kingdom is to be built on love and compassion:

“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned.”

His words are a call to a new way of being. It’s a way that has the potential to change and renew our relationships and our communities. But it has to begin with an inner transformation. The call to be compassionate requires us to weed out the attitudes that would incline us to harsh judgements of others.

It calls us to put aside our hurt and our anger enough to give others the benefit of the doubt. It invites us to believe the best of others even if that’s not on display. It seems to me that the best way to move towards this is to acknowledge our own need for compassion. Once we admit to ourselves that we can cause hurt it becomes much easier to be compassionate when we see others do the same.

Where is Christ inviting you to learn to be compassionate this Lent?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Discernment Divine Office Lectio Divina Lent Liturgy Rule of St Benedict Scripture Uncategorized

Fasting, a Lent challenge.

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The third word in my Lent lexicon is:

“FAST”

Often the first question anyone asks us about Lent is “what are you giving up? Fasting carries a heavy weight of history and of personal experience. This can make it a particularly sensitive issue. It can be an area that’s open to judgement and misinterpretation. It’s a word I find challenging and I’m coming to it with some trepidation.

I find St Benedict’s chapter on Lent helpful in facing the challenge. Instead of prescribing a particular fast for everyone he gives a list of things that we might fast from, food, drink, sleep, talking, idle jesting. He openly acknowledges that people have varying needs and capabilities. He knows that what might be manageable for one isn’t possible for another. His words carry a call not to judge ourselves or others harshly, allow people the freedom to choose the “fast” that will most help them on their spiritual journey.

In today’s first reading the prophet Isaiah gives another perspective on fasting:

“Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me – it is the Lord who speaks –to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor, to clothe the person you see to be naked and not turn from your own kin? Then will your light shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over.”

While this is deeply challenging it is also helpful. It reminds me that our spiritual practices have to have a knock-on effect in the way we live our lives. They are not just for our personal benefit.

They are to draw us out of ourselves towards our neighbour, to help us become kinder and more compassionate. It seems to me that as Isaiah calls us to fast from the thoughts and behaviours that would harden our hearts to those around us.

How are your Lent practices helping you to become kinder and more compassionate?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Discernment Lectio Divina Lent Liturgy Scripture Uncategorized

Choosing Life.

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The second word in my Lent lexicon is:

LIFE

I have to confess that “life” has never been the first word that comes to mind when I think about Lent. Yet, the the Anglo-Saxon root of the English word “Lent” can be translated as “spring” and that brings to mind all the new life connected with that time of year. Already when we start our Lent journey new life is pushing its way up through the earth.

We are surrounded by spring flowers and the beginnings of new growth wherever we look. On another level the whole purpose of Lent is to prepare our hearts to celebrate the joy of the resurrection, and there is no more a life-giving gift than that.

Today’s first reading echoes the theme of “life” as Moses offers the people a choice. He says to them:

“I set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Choose life then, so that you and your descendants may live in the love of the Lord your God, obeying his voice, clinging to him; for in this your life consists…”

In many ways his words sum up the purpose of Lent. All our Lent practices aim to bring us back to God, the source of all life so that we can live in God’s presence and shape our life by God’s love. The gift of life however does not come automatically.

As Moses points out we have to actively choose what is life-giving. On the surface that seems easy, but it is not always that straightforward. Often, at the outset at least the life denying choice appears easier or more comfortable, while the life-giving choice can feel harder and more challenging.

Our Lent practices help us discern what is truly life giving. They can help us decide what we have to let go of so that the things that are truly life giving can find the space to flourish and grow.

How are your Lent practices helping you to choose life this Lent?

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Ash Wednesday Benedictine Spirituality Christ Cross Divine Office Gospel Lectio Divina Lent Liturgy Scripture Uncategorized

Ash Wednesday

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One of the most helpful books I’ve read is “Amazing Grace, a vocabulary of faith.” By Kathleen Norris. She describes it as “an exploration and record of some of the words in the Christian lexicon that most trouble and attract me.”

The book reminded me of an important Benedictine principle, that words matter. They shape us, form us, challenge us and help us grow.

So this Lent I’ve decided to make myself a Lent lexicon. I’m going to explore some of the words we commonly hear in Lent. I’ve chosen words that attract and sometimes scare me. They also both shape and challenge my experience of Lent.

Ashes

Ashes mark the beginning of our Lent journey. With a small, but significant physical sign we give a powerful message about the significance of this time. The Ashes seem to me to be a signal of intent for the season of Lent. There are many ways that intention could be stated, it will vary from person to person and from year to year. But whatever variations it has I generally find that this verse expresses them all:

“O that today you would listen to his voice, harden not your hearts.”

It’s the first thing we sing on Ash Wednesday, and whatever Lent practices I choose this verse sums up their purpose and intent. Lent practices help us to move away from the clutter that disguises our hardheartedness. They invite us to allow our hearts to become vulnerable and open to receive the Word of God.

Ashes remind us of that intention and of our limitations. As we receive the ashes we hear one of these verses:

“Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel.”

Or

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return.”

Our Lent journey starts with high hopes. These verses bring us back down to earth. We are created from the stuff of the earth, that is both a humbling and liberating thought. In a world that sets impossibly high standards it allows us the freedom to accept our limitations.

As we journey through Lent our good intentions will get battered and even fall by the wayside. The ashes are a reminder that this is simply part of being human. We can fall, and get up and try again.

How are you being called to open your heart to God’s voice this Ash Wednesday?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Lectio Divina Saints Scripture Uncategorized

Keeping hope alive.

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We’re living in times that could easily tempt us to give up. The principles that underpin our societies seem to be shifting. Things that we thought were certain and essential for the smooth running of our communities and nations appear to be dissolving before our eyes. We’ve no idea how things will develop, but there’s a general feeling that outcomes are less than likely to be positive. We’re living with seemingly ever increasing levels of uncertainty and anxiety.

In such times we can easily give in to despair. We can feel powerless and that everything is pointless and beyond our control. It can make even the possibility of hope seem, at best, naïve and unrealistic.

In his first letter to the Corinthians St Paul takes a different approach as he calls us to never give up. He writes:

“Never give in then, my dear people, never admit defeat; keep on working at the Lord’s work always, knowing that, in the Lord, you cannot be labouring in vain.”

St Paul was no stranger to adverse circumstances, nor were the Corinthians. Knowing some of the situations he faced I can imagine that he was also tempted by despair. He knew suffering, frustration & disappointment. Through them all he was able to keep his eyes firmly on Christ. He trusted that, however hard life was, however little effect his work seemed to have, Christ would bring it to fruition. In our challenging time his message not to give up has an added resonance. We too are called to carry on working to bring about the Kingdom in whatever way we can.

Where is Christ calling you to keep trusting his promise today?