http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/ en correspondence@stemma.org Copyright 2012 2012-11-04T03:01:04+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_november_4/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_november_4/#When:02:01:04Z 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. (from The Book of Deuteronomy and the Gospel of Luke) These words from today’s first reading and the Gospel are a powerful statement of how our relationship with God should be:  a totality of self.  Not half-hearted.  Not when it’s convenient.  Not when I feel like it.  Not when I need something. Our God is infinitely patient, infinitely generous and extremely merciful.  But, it is up to us to be in relationship with Him.  He won’t force us, but He always has His door open waiting for us to turn to Him. Today take a few moments to ponder how these words of scripture apply to your life, your prayer.  Do you try to be present to Him always?  Do you apply your whole self to your prayer?  Do you allow God total access to your heart?  Your thoughts?  Your actions? Reflections for the Day 2012-11-04T02:01:04+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_october_281/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_october_281/#When:13:30:20Z 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way. (Mark 10:46-52) Today’s Gospel reading from St. Mark has Jesus healing the blind man named Bartimaeus.  Others in the crowd tried to silence him, but he called all the louder, and added a very telling title, “Son of David”, to his request for the Lord’s pity.  On hearing this title, Jesus could tell that this man had faith, and Jesus tells him that it is his faith that has saved him.  Not that he is healed, but saved.  He receives two gifts from the Lord:  both his sight and his salvation.  He, in turn, followed him on the way.  One could well imagine that he became a devoted disciple of Jesus. Something to ponder today:  Do you ever ask for what you need with great faith?  Or do you simply presents your needs to the Lord? Reflections for the Day 2012-10-28T13:30:20+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_october_28/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_october_28/#When:13:30:17Z 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way. (Mark 10:46-52) Today’s Gospel reading from St. Mark has Jesus healing the blind man named Bartimaeus.  Others in the crowd tried to silence him, but he called all the louder, and added a very telling title, “Son of David”, to his request for the Lord’s pity.  On hearing this title, Jesus could tell that this man had faith, and Jesus tells him that it is his faith that has saved him.  Not that he is healed, but saved.  He receives two gifts from the Lord:  both his sight and his salvation.  He, in turn, followed him on the way.  One could well imagine that he became a devoted disciple of Jesus. Something to ponder today:  Do you ever ask for what you need with great faith?  Or do you simply presents your needs to the Lord? Reflections for the Day 2012-10-28T13:30:17+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_october_14_2012/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_october_14_2012/#When:03:01:28Z 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time You are lacking in one thing.  Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me… (from the Gospel of Mark, 10:17-30) Jesus’ words to the rich young man in today’s Gospel cut him to the quick.  Why?  Not necessarily because he had so many possession but that his possessions possessed him.  He couldn’t believe he had any worth or value without them.  Jesus was inviting him to know his true worth, his true value.  Mother Teresa said, We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.  Perhaps this was also the rich young man.  Perhaps he only had things and was not loved or cared for.  Our society and culture always stresses getting more, getting bigger, getting better.  An accumulation of things verses doing those things that have greater value:  spending time, spending ourselves in the service of our loved ones, our neighbors and those whom we encounter.  Today, spend some time and ask yourself what possess you—is it the Lord? or the things you own? Reflections for the Day 2012-10-14T03:01:28+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/thursday_october_11_2012/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/thursday_october_11_2012/#When:03:01:27Z Thursday, 27th Week in Ordinary Time And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (from the Gospel of Luke) What a wonderful Gospel passage to begin the Year of Faith declared by Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI!  Asking, seeking, knocking—all three declare an active role by us in growing into an ever deepening relationship with the Lord.  That’s what some of us fail to recognize:  we need to be the one active in seeking a relationship with the Lord.  True, the Lord is ever present, but we need to be willing and open developing that relationship.  Just as in friendship or marriage, it takes two.  Today spend some time in dialog with the Lord.  He is always waiting, ever ready to help us, always loving us regardless of our attentiveness to Him. Reflections for the Day 2012-10-11T03:01:27+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/wednesday_october_10_2012/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/wednesday_october_10_2012/#When:03:01:53Z Wednesday, 27th Week of Ordinary Time You have received a spirit of adoption as sons through which we cry:  Abba!  Father! (Romans 8:15bc) What love the Lord has shown us!  We, weak mortal beings, prone to sin and forgetful of God’s commands, are adopted as sons and daughters of God.  Those who have adopted a child or have been the child adopted have a better understanding of this text.  We have grown in the heart of God—not because of any merit of our own, but because of the munificence of His Love.  In our limited human understanding, we cannot begin to comprehend the magnitude of this love.  We know our own fickleness.  We know how we can run hot and cold with our emotions.  We cannot entirely comprehend why or how God does this, but in faith we believe it to be true. Today, take a few moments pondering this great gift of love the Lord bestows on you, and thank and praise him for the love and mercy He pours out upon you. Reflections for the Day 2012-10-10T03:01:53+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/tuesday_october_9/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/tuesday_october_9/#When:03:01:25Z Tuesday, 27th Week in Ordinary Time O Lord, you have probed me and you know me; you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. (from Ps. 139) It’s amazing how well the Lord knows each of us—so much better then we typically know ourselves.  For some it may be disconcerting and frightening, but it is awesome to think of how much love the Lord has for each of us individually that He does indeed know and care for each of us—even to knowing (and likely at times overlooking) our quirks, our warts, and yes, even those things that we try not to admit to.  How well do we know those who are dear to us?  Are we willing to love them as we are loved by the Lord?  It’s not an easy, but definitely what we are called to by our baptism.  Take some time today to ask the Lord to help you to love those people in your life with the same love He has for them.  And more importantly, ask him to help you to love those you have a difficult time loving with the same love as He has for them. Reflections for the Day 2012-10-09T03:01:25+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/monday_october_8/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/monday_october_8/#When:19:32:03Z Monday, 27th Week in Ordinary Time I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you. John 13:34 Love.  That word appears in today’s Gospel verse as well.  It’s a call to a higher love—a divine love.  We are called to love as God has first loved us.  It’s an awesome thing to ponder.  It was Love that was the impetus for our creation.  It was love that provided for the Israelites while they wondered 40 years in the desert after they left Egypt before entering the promised land.  It was love that sent the prophets and the judges to help the people in their journey with the Lord.  It was love that brought about the Incaration.  It was love that endured the crucifixion.  It was love that died for our redemption.  Today, take a moment to ponder that unmeasurable Love of God for you and give Him thanks and praise! Reflections for the Day 2012-10-08T19:32:03+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_october_7/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_october_7/#When:03:01:06Z If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. (1 John 4:12) These words from the Gospel verse from today’s Mass are powerful indeed.  The first word, if, is so often used in our conversation.  “If I had done this…”  “If this happens…”  In his letter, St. John tells us that If we love one another…  The love John is referring to is not the warm fuzzy love we so often think of when we hear the word love.  The love he has in mind is more of the love that we express by bearing with, being compassionate with, suffer with.  The love that is willing to go the extra mile.  When we love others selflessly, then God can remain in us because we are loving as He loves.  Lord, help me to love as You love so that your love may be brought to perfection in me… Reflections for the Day 2012-10-07T03:01:06+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/tuesday_june_26/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/tuesday_june_26/#When:03:01:37Z Tuesday, 12th Week in Ordinary Time “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” (from 7:6, 12-14) It is likely that St. Benedict had this scripture in mind while writing the Prologue to his Rule.  It is interesting though how he uses it:  It is bound to be narrow at the outset.  But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexprssible delight of love (Prologue, Rule of St. Benedict, Verses 48-49).  St. Benedict breaks it open for us:  as we grow in our spiritual life, as our love increases then what was hard and difficult at the outset is made easy. O Lord, increase our faith and our love, that we may run on the path of your commandments! Reflections for the Day 2012-06-26T03:01:37+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/the_price_of_holy_freedom_a_ceaseless_struggle_of_renewal/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/the_price_of_holy_freedom_a_ceaseless_struggle_of_renewal/#When:03:08:50Z Our interior life here below is known only to God; it is hidden to the eyes of men.  Further, if through our spiritual freedom we strive to reproduce in our souls the characteristics of the risen life of Jesus, it is nevertheless a labor which still operates in a flesh that is wounded by sin and subject to the infirmities of time.  We shall only arrive at that holy freedom at the price of a struggle ceaselessly renewed and faithfully sustained.  We, too, must suffer so as to enter into glory.   Page 345 From:  Christ in His Mysteries By:  Blessed Columba Marmion, OSB Click Book to Purchase. Saturday 2012-06-23T03:08:50+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/finding_the_deepest_and_truest_joy/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/finding_the_deepest_and_truest_joy/#When:03:01:44Z It is Jesus alone that we must listen to and follow.  Let us give ourselves up to Him through faith, trust, love, humility, obedience, abandon to Him.  If our soul is closed to the noises of earth, to the tumults of the passions and senses, the Word Incarnate will become the Master of our soul little by little; He will make us understand that the true joys, the deepest joys, are those found in serving Him  Page 284 From:  Christ in His Mysteries By:  Blessed Columba Marmion, OSB Click Book to Purchase. Friday 2012-06-22T03:01:44+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/squandering_grace_drives_out_the_holy_spirit/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/squandering_grace_drives_out_the_holy_spirit/#When:03:01:39Z So long as we are here below the appeals of Eternal Kindness are unceasing.  But let us not be among those who, by continued squandering of grace, and the habit of deliberate sin, even though it be venial, harden themselves to the point of no longer understanding those appeals.  Let us beware of driving the Holy Spirit from the temple of our soul by willed and obstinate resistance.  Mercy is never lacking to a soul, it is the soul that, being lacking towards mercy, provides justice.  Page 264 From:  Christ in His Mysteries By:  Blessed Columba Marmion, OSB Click Book to Purchase. Thursday 2012-06-21T03:01:39+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/resembling_christ_in_baptism_and_temptation1/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/resembling_christ_in_baptism_and_temptation1/#When:03:01:15Z In the different mysteries of Christ on earth, Eternal Wisdom arranged events in such a way that the humiliations of the Incarnate Word were always offset by a revelation of His divinity.  Christ thus appears to us in the truth of His divine nature as well as the reality of His human condition.  The mysteries of the birth and childhood of Jesus are marked by these contrasts of shadow and light which make our faith “reasonable” at the same time as leaving it free. Christ started out on His public life – His baptism by John and His temptation in the desert.  We shall see how wonderful the mind of Infinite Wisdom is, to what great lengths Christ, who is our model, willed to go before us on that road on which we all ought to follow Him in order to resemble Him.  Page 202 From:  Christ in His Mysteries By:  Blessed Columba Marmion, OSB Click Book to Purchase. Wednesday 2012-06-20T03:01:15+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/gods_plan_to_prepare_us_for_christ/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/gods_plan_to_prepare_us_for_christ/#When:03:01:02Z The coming of the Son of God upon earth is so momentous an event that God wished to prepare it over long ages.  Rites and sacrifices, figures and symbols – He made everything converge towards Christ; He foretold and proclaimed Him through the mouth of prophets who succeeded each other from generation to generation.  That is why the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, has taken to herself the sighs of the Patriarchs, the aspirations of the Just of ancient times, the longings of the Chosen People, so as to put them on our lips and fill our hearts with them.  She wishes us to prepare for Christ’s coming as if that nativity were going to be renewed before our eyes.  Page 132 From:  Christ in His Mysteries By:  Blessed Columba Marmion, OSB Click Book to Purchase. Tuesday 2012-06-19T03:01:02+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/christ_wants_us_to_resemble_him/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/christ_wants_us_to_resemble_him/#When:03:01:08Z The mysteries of Christ are ours; the union that Jesus Christ wishes to contract with us is one in which everything He has becomes ours.  With a divine liberality, He wants us to share in the inexhaustible graces of salvation and sanctification that He has merited for us by each of His mysteries, so as to communicate to us the spirit of His states and thus to bring about in each of us a resemblance to Him – the infallible pledge of our destiny planned from eternity.  Page 41 From:  Christ in His Mysteries By:  Blessed Columba Marmion, OSB Click Book to Purchase. Monday 2012-06-18T03:01:08+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/the_mysteries_of_christ_are_our_mysteries/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/the_mysteries_of_christ_are_our_mysteries/#When:03:01:15Z Knowledge acquired by faith, in prayer, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is the true source of the living water that wells forth unto eternal life.  For – and this a truth of first importance that will become clear in the course of these talks - the Eternal Father has placed within Christ Jesus for us all the graces, all the gifts of sanctification, that He desires for souls.  Without Christ we have nothing, but with Him we have everything.  The more we know Christ, the more deeply we fathom the mysteries of His Person and of His life, the more we prayerfully study the circumstances and details that Revelation has confided to us – the more also will our piety be true and our holiness have solidity.  Page 9 From:  Christ in His Mysteries By:  Blessed Columba Marmion, OSB href=“https://app.etapestry.com/cart/BenedictineNunsStEmmaMona/default/item.php?ref=1064.0.46547011”>Click Book to Purchase. Sunday 2012-06-17T03:01:15+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/thursday_june_14/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/thursday_june_14/#When:03:01:08Z Friday, Tenth Week of Ordinary TIme Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (from Matthew 5:20-26) Reconciliation.  At various times and places throughout our life, we all need to reconcil with someone we love—sometimes because we have hurti someone unknowingly.  Needing to ask for forgiveness is not easy, sometimes its awkward or humiliating.  But that’s only half of the story.  The one whose forgiveness is requested also has a vary tremendous part to play:  they have to forgive.  Then, and only then, can reconciliation happen.  It’s the same with the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  In this sacrament we acknowledge with humility to Christ through his minister the priest that we have sinned.  We express our sorrow.  We resolve to amend our life.  We accept and fulfill the penance we have been given.  Then the most wonderful and awesome part occurs:  we are absolved of our sins—Christ forgives us. Today’s reading asks us to take stock of our life.  Is there someone I need to reconcile with?  Ask Jesus for the grace and humility to be able to go to them and ask for their forgiveness.  Wouldn’t our world be a much different place if everyone would do just this? Reflections for the Day 2012-06-14T03:01:08+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/wednesday_june_131/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/wednesday_june_131/#When:03:01:38Z Anthony of Padua Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill… (from Matthew 5:17-19) These words from Jesus come shortly after the Sermon on the Mount where He taught his disciples the Beatitudes.  The Beatitudes fill out, explain, make explicit the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses.  Jesus’ words not to abolish but to fulfill show how important it is for us to continue to follow the Ten Commandments—but at the same time challenges us to go further.  Just as the rich young man that we hear about later in St. Matthew’s Gospel (19:16-24), we are challenged not to store up earthly treasure but heavenly. Today take a few moments in prayer to ask the Lord to show you how He would like you to respond to His call to follow him… Reflections for the Day 2012-06-13T03:01:38+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/wednesday_june_13/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/wednesday_june_13/#When:03:01:10Z Anthony of Padua Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill… (from Matthew 5:17-19) These words from Jesus come shortly after the Sermon on the Mount where He taught his disciples the Beatitudes.  The Beatitudes fill out, explain, make explicit the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses.  Jesus’ words not to abolish but to fulfill show how important it is for us to continue to follow the Ten Commandments—but at the same time challenges us to go further.  Just as the rich young man that we hear about later in St. Matthew’s Gospel (19:16-24), we are challenged not to store up earthly treasure but heavenly. Today take a few moments in prayer to ask the Lord to show you how He would like you to respond to His call to follow him… Reflections for the Day 2012-06-13T03:01:10+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/monday_june_11/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/monday_june_11/#When:03:01:05Z Barnabas, Apostle “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (from Matthew 5:1-12) The text of today’s Gospel reading is one that is comfortingly familiar, and one that most everyone can “find” a line they identify themselves with.  The challenge is that we are to identify with every line.  This is Jesus’ “job description” of what it means to be a Christian.  Unlike a cafeteria where one can pick and choose, being Catholic comes with specific guidelines for our lives.  To be authentically Catholic, one needs to mirror Christ.  It isn’t easy, and yes, we will fall along the way.  In his great mercy, God sees into our heart and knows that we are trying, and gives us the grace to persevere. Jesus, I trust in You! Reflections for the Day 2012-06-11T03:01:05+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_june_10/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_june_10/#When:02:13:16Z Corpus Christi Today’s feast dates from the 13th century.  The Sequence, composed by St. Thomas Aquinas, is full of Eucharistic images and symbols.  Take some time today to ponder the full beauty and magnitude of this text. Laud, O Zion, your salvation, Laud with hymns of exultation, Christ, your king and shepherd true: Bring him all the praise you know, He is more than you bestow. Never can you reach his due. Special theme for glad thanksgiving Is the quick’ning and the living Bread today before you set: From his hands of old partaken, As we know, by faith unshaken, Where the Twelve at supper met. Full and clear ring out your chanting, Joy nor sweetest grace by wanting, From your heart let praises burst: For today the feast is holden, When the institution olden Of that supper was rehearsed. Here the new law’s new oblation, By the new king’s revelation, Ends the form of ancient rite: Now the new and old effaces, Truth away the shadow chases, Light dispels the gloom of night. What he did at supper seated, Christ ordained to be repeated, His memorial ne’re to cease: And his rule for guidance taking, Bread and wine we hallow, making Thus our sacrifice of peace. This the truth each Christian learns, Bread into his flesh he turns, To his precious blood the wine: Sight has fail’d, nor thought conceives, But a dauntless faith believes, Resting on a pow’r divine. Here beneath these signs are hidden Priceless things to sense forbidden; Signs, not things are all we see: Blood is poured and flesh is broken, Yet in either wondrous token Christ entire we know to be. Whoso of this food partakes, Does not rend the Lord nor breaks; Christ is whole to all that taste: Thousands are, as one, receivers, One, as thousands of believers, Eats of him who cannot waste. Bad and good the feast are sharing, Of what divers dooms preparing, Endless death, or endless life. Life to these, to those damnation, See how like participation Is with unlike issues rife. When the sacrament is broken, Doubt not, but believe ‘tis spoken, That each sever’ed outward token doth the very whole contain. Nought the precious gift divides, Breaking but the sign betides Jesus still the same abides, still unbroken does remain. Lo! the angel’s food is given To the pilgrim who has striven; See the children’s bread from heaven, which on dogs may not be spent. Truth the ancient types fulfilling, Isaac bound, a victim willing, Paschal lamb, its lifeblood spilling, manna to the fathers sent. Very bread, good shepherd, tend us, Jesu, of your love befriend us, You refresh us, you defend us, Your eternal goodness send us In the land of life to see. You who all things can and know, Who on earth such food bestow Grant us with your saints, though lowest, Where the heav’nly feast you show, Fellow heirs and guests to be. Reflections for the Day 2012-06-10T02:13:16+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/saturday_june_9/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/saturday_june_9/#When:03:01:37Z Saturday, Ninth Week in Ordinary Time He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (from Mark 12:38-44) The widow in today’s Gospel shows us a tremendous example of sacrificial love. While all the others who gave to the temple treasury more or less knew how they would continue to earn their living, the widow didn’t. We may assume that she also was childless—without a support from a grown child—since Jesus tells us she gave all she had. She allowed herself to be totally reliant on God, and He no doubt blessed her trust in Him. How are we called upon to exercise this total reliance on God today? O Sacred Heart of Jesus, example of sacrificial love, make our hearts like unto Yours. Reflections for the Day 2012-06-09T03:01:37+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/the_continuity_between_life_and_death/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/the_continuity_between_life_and_death/#When:03:01:15Z Death is inherently frightening, but the marginalization of death adds to that fear.  By contrast, Benedict wants the monastery to be a place where death is not marginalized and he tells his monks: “Day by day, remind yourself that you are going to die”, to live with a sense of the urgency and goodness of life now. Benedict also sees continuity between life and death because the whole purpose of the monastery is to foster constant awareness of the presence of God.  The monastic life requires a stripping away of the inessential to enable us to be constantly aware of God.  Death is the ultimate stripping away and the ultimate encounter with God  Page 159 From:  Finding Sanctuary By:  Abbot Christopher Jamison Click Book to Purchase. Saturday 2012-06-09T03:01:15+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/making_god_the_object_of_our_desire/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/making_god_the_object_of_our_desire/#When:03:01:50Z Classic religion is about being set free from the idolatry of people, objects, and techniques.  It is about being set free from the constantly shifting sands of human desire.  In classic religion you do not pick and choose; you learn a whole way of life.  Religion offers us an educative process that helps us to see the whole of life in a different way.  The way that Christian faith invites us to undertake this educative process is not just by persuading us to believe that God exists.  The creed invites us to say.  “I believe in God.”  By the addition of “in” the Christian faith invites us to make God the object of our desire and of our worship  Page 146 From:  Finding Sanctuary By:  Abbot Christopher Jamison Click Book to Purchase. Friday 2012-06-08T03:01:50+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/friday_june_8/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/friday_june_8/#When:03:01:35Z Friday, Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Those who love your law have great peace… (from Psalm 119) These words from today’s Responsorial Psalm, remind me of a hymn that I’ve know now for decades:  Where Charity and Love Prevail.  It is through the love of Christ that we know peace.  And it is because of that love is self-emptying, that Christ suffered and died for our sins.  Love seems to be a motif that has flowed through our readings these last few days, and likely it’s no accident.  We are in the days before the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that one would pray a Novena to the Sacred Heart.  Jesus, at the Last Supper, tells his disciples, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I giveto you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let then be afraid (John 14:27).  Peace, too, is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit that St. Paul lists in his Letter to the Galatians (5:22-23).  And in the Letter to the Colossians, St. Paul writes by making peace through the blood of his cross (1:20). Today, let the peace of Christ reign in your heart today.  O Sacred Heart of Jesus, channel of peace, make our hearts like unto Yours. Reflections for the Day 2012-06-08T03:01:35+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/individuality_rather_than_individualism/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/individuality_rather_than_individualism/#When:03:01:23Z Benedict wants a community where people can express individuality rather than individualism.  Individualism is simply doing your own thing in your own way and blanking out other people.  Individuality involves bringing your particular contribution to bear on the life of the community, even if that is a difficult contribution for others to accept  Page 121 From:  Finding Sanctuary By:  Abbot Christopher Jamison Click Book to Purchase. Thursday 2012-06-07T03:01:23+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/thursday_june_7/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/thursday_june_7/#When:03:01:01Z Thursday, Ninth Week in Ordinary Time One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (from Mark 12:28-34) These lines from today’s Gospel reading spell out—albeit all too clearly for us at times—what our love is supposed to be like:  to love God with our entire being and to love our neighbor as we love ourself.  It’s called to be a personal love.  Not something distant:  I love the poor, starving AIDs orphans in Tanzania.  Great, wonderful, but what about your next door neighbor whose struggling with depression and could really use a kind word and some encouragement?  Too often we all fall into the trap of only loving those who can do something for us.  Jesus gave us an entirely different example to follow:  He loved everyone, even those who eventually were the instruments of this crucifixion and death—and even forgave them.  While we likely will not experience the need to forgive in that radical way, we are called to love that radically.  O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of selfless love for others, make our hearts like unto Yours. Reflections for the Day 2012-06-07T03:01:01+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/the_first_step_of_humility/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/the_first_step_of_humility/#When:03:01:17Z The First Step of Humility is “fear of God,” not in the sense of terror but in the sense of awe.  Without feeling for the awesome wonder of life we cannot begin our climb.  Alongside experiencing awe, Benedict asks that the monk “flees all forgetfulness”; we must remember what life is all about and not try to escape from it.  This mindful awe will lead us to take life seriously, to see life as a task to be lived with a sense of deep purpose.  Page 100 From:  Finding Sanctuary By:  Abbot Christopher Jamison Click Book to Purchase. Wednesday 2012-06-06T03:01:17+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/wednesday_june_6/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/wednesday_june_6/#When:03:01:01Z Wednesday, Ninth Week in Ordinary TIme For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. (from 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12) Love.  This one word resonates throughout scripture.  It is because of love that the Father created.  It is because of love that Jesus took on our humanity and died for our sins.  It is because of the love of the Father and the Son, that the Spirit lives and moves among us. It is a self-emptying love, a compassionate love that we are meant to mirror.  That is why Paul tells Timothy that God did not give us a spirit of cowardice…  The love we are to have is not wishy-washy.  It is strong.  It is powerful.  It is meant to be selfless, without preoccupation, or hardness.  It means to share in the sufferings of others, and to work to alleviate that suffering.  We are to empathize with their pain and hardships, not turn our back and walk away.  O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion for others, make our hearts like unto Yours. Reflections for the Day 2012-06-06T03:01:01+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/conscientious_choice_leads_to_obedient_freedom/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/conscientious_choice_leads_to_obedient_freedom/#When:03:01:48Z Conscience is not the same as feeling; conscience is the inner process that enables you to listen to voices beyond your own feelings and desires.  It is the process by which you freely choose which desires to follow and which to ignore. Conscience notices the wider world of other people’s feelings, the vows made to a spouse, the law of the land.  Your feelings will be one of the factors that conscience considers but they are not the only factor.  Intense feeling is not the same as conscience.  The monastic way urges the conscientious exercise of choice leading to obedient freedom  Page 78 From:  Finding Sanctuary By:  Abbot Christopher Jamison Click Book to Purchase. Tuesday 2012-06-05T03:01:48+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/tuesday_june_5/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/tuesday_june_5/#When:03:01:15Z St. Boniface, Martyr But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth… (from 2 Peter 3:12a-15, 17-18) But according to his promise!  God’s promise (or covenant, in ths case) to Noah in the book of Genesis had a symbol:  the rainbow.  After the waters of the flood had dissipated and Noah, his family and all the animals had come out from the ark, God blessed them and said be fertile and multiply, just as He had after created man on the sixth day. Yet, in today’s first reading for the first Letter of St. Peter, he tells us that we await new heavens and a new earth.  St. Peter was referring to the end times, sometimes referred to as the Parousia.  We don’t know when this will happen, but it does call us to take each day as a gift and as such to treat it—and those we encounter—as a gift and with care.  I remember hearing a story once about a group of monks who weren’t very happy and weren’t very nice to each other.  Then one day someone visited who shared that Christ lived among them.  Almost overnight they began to treat each other with care and love, and mirrored that same care and love to all those they encountered.  In a short time, it was an entirely different monastery.  We all have Christ living among us.  It’s our blindness that prevents us from seeing Christ in each person.  Today, pray for the grace to see Christ in each person you encounter.  Your life will never be the same! Reflections for the Day 2012-06-05T03:01:15+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/monday_june_4/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/monday_june_4/#When:03:01:26Z Monday, Ninth Week in Ordinary Time He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. (from Mark 12:1-12) Today’s Gospel wasn’t very comfortable for chief priests, elders and scribes.  The last verse tells us that they were seeking to arrest him, but they fead the crowd…  Jesus obviously didn’t make them comfortable.  He didn’t fit the “mold” of what they expected the Messiah to be.  He didn’t come to overthrow the Roman occupying force, which is what they were looking for.  Jesus spent time with the poor, with sinners, tax collectors.  He ate with those they considered beneath them.  Jesus came to call sinners (yes, that means you and me, too!) to follow Him in a radically different way of thinking. Are we willing to take the leap of faith and follow on the path Jesus is calling us to?  Or are we too afraid of what others will think?  Jesus, give us the courage to follow You—wherever You lead! Reflections for the Day 2012-06-04T03:01:26+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/wrestling_with_ones_demons/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/wrestling_with_ones_demons/#When:03:01:07Z When they spend time in solitude and in silence, people inevitably have to wrestle with their own demon, the forces of evil that will tempt a solitary monk or nun away from their solitude, away from the silence and away from their prayers.  Anybody who has seriously pursued a life of silence and prayer knows that those forces are powerfully real.  The notion that this silence leads to tranquility is a very modern assumption.  The monastic tradition sees any such tranquility as short-lived consolation to encourage beginners, which will dissipate once the search for God is pursued with real determination and the demons get to work to prevent any further progress.    Page 42 From:  Finding Sanctuary By:  Abbot Christopher Jam Click Book to Purchase. Monday 2012-06-04T03:01:07+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_june_3/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_june_3/#When:03:01:09Z Trinity Sunday “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (From Matthew 28:16-20) These closing lines of St. Matthew’s Gospel contain both a commission (go…and make disciples)and a promise (I am with you always).  We enjoy the relationship we have today with the Holy Trinity precisely because of that commision and promise.  The apostles did not keep their faith and knowledge of God to themselves; they went forth proclaiming the Good News to all the world.  And even today, that Good News continues to be proclaimed and we, too, enjoy Jesus presence with us. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is at times hard to grasp:  one God, yet three distinct persons.  St. Joseph of Cupertino probably had a simple explanation.  He folded a blanket in thirds - three separate folds, yet when unfolded one single blanket.  St. Patrick is credited with using a shamrock - three leaves, yet one plant.  Today, take a few moments to ponder this Prayer to the Holy Trinity: Glory be to the Father, Who by His almighty power and love created me, making me in the image and likeness of God. Glory be to the Son, Who by His Precious Blood delivered me from hell, and opened for me the gates of heaven. Glory be to the Holy Spirit, Who has sanctified me in the sacrament of Baptism, and continues to sanctify me by the graces I receive daily from His bounty. Glory be to the Three adorable Persons of the Holy Trinity, now and forever.  Amen. Reflections for the Day 2012-06-03T03:01:09+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/antidote_for_the_world_of_busyness/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/antidote_for_the_world_of_busyness/#When:03:01:01Z The real antidote to busyness must be sought outside the consumerist world, and [Saint] Benedict describes that place for us.  He was aware of the barbarian world at his gate, and he knew that he had to create a space beyond that world.  In recent years my monastic brethren and I have taken to calling that space “sanctuary”.  Benedict does not use that term himself, but the word does sum up for a modern audience many of Benedict’s deepest aspirations.  Finding sanctuary leads us from the problem of busyness to a real spirituality that brings peace. From:  Finding Sanctuary By:  Abbot Christopher Jamison Click Book to Purchase. Sunday 2012-06-03T03:01:01+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/saturday_june_2/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/saturday_june_2/#When:03:01:28Z Saturday, Eighth Week in Ordinary Time O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. (from Psalm 63) The beginning lines of today’s Responsorial Psalm plays out the desire of the human heart for God.  The desire that can only be filled by God, no matter how often or with what we try to satisfy that God-hunger.  There comes a time when we have to stop and admit that only God can satisfy.  The new car didn’t do it.  The bigger house didn’t do it.  The large bank account didn’t do it.  The fancy vacation at an expensive resort didn’t do it.  Jesus was trying to get the chief priests, scribes and elders to admit something similiar.  Unfortunately for them, they could make a decision either way about John’s baptism—human or divine.  Fear of the crowds and fear of admitting that it was heavenly.  The thirst that draws us to God helps us grow—it gives us courage in face of adversity.  It helps draw us into closer union with Him and with our neighbor.  How are you filling your God-hole? Reflections for the Day 2012-06-02T03:01:28+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/reading_scripture_for_an_intimate_contact_with_god/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/reading_scripture_for_an_intimate_contact_with_god/#When:03:01:24Z St. Bernard hoped that the Scriptures would be assimilated in such a way that they would impact the whole person.  Reading, in other words, was for him not only an intellectual activity.  In fact, he opposed the “learned” approach to lectio emerging in the wake of scholasticism, and favored a more sense-oriented or experiential way of reading.  He speaks of an intimate, even mystical contact through reading and frequently writes if “tasting” God through contact with the Scriptures  Page 147 From:  Reading to Live: The Evolving Practice of Lectio Divina By:  Raymond Studzinski, OSB Click Book to Purchase. Saturday 2012-06-02T03:01:24+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/drawing_from_the_scriptures_a_unified_vision_of_life/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/drawing_from_the_scriptures_a_unified_vision_of_life/#When:03:01:22Z St Benedict gave reading – which he calls “lectio divina” – a prominent place in the life of monks.  In his mid-century Rule he allots more than three hours to it, the exact amount depending on the time of year.  Furthermore, in contrast to some other monastic legislators, he allots the best time of the day to the exercise.  On Sunday, apart from common exercises of the Divine Office, the Eucharist, and meals, the whole day is to be free for lectio.  Studies on the vocabulary Benedict uses to make precise the place and nature of lectio in the RB [Rule of St Benedict] show that lectio suggests gathering, collecting, and thus a unifying process.  Indeed, the exercise of lectio can be seen as an effort by the monastic to draw from the Scriptures a unified vision of life.  Page 123 From: Reading to Live: The Evolving Practice of Lectio Divina By:  Raymond Studzinski, OSB Click Book to Purchase. Friday 2012-06-01T03:01:22+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/friday_june_1/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/friday_june_1/#When:03:01:15Z Justin, Martyr Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:7-13) In today’s first reading, St. Peter is not talking about carnal love, but that deeper love that springs forth and is referred also to as Christian charity—the theological concept of unlimited love and kindness.  When we don’t take care of our spiritual life, it is difficult, if not impossible, to practice this love to all those we encounter in our day-to-day lives.  Taking care of our spiritual life means developing and maintaining a vibrant prayer life, an interior conversation with God throughout the day.  Sharing the joys, the surprises, the upsets, the disappointments.  Christ truly wants to know about everything that’s going on in our lives.  There was a short story that we received over the internet that talked about a man who spent his short lunch time just checking in with God.  That’s what we’re invited to do as well. Have you checked in with God today? Reflections for the Day 2012-06-01T03:01:15+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/accountability_to_the_scriptures/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/accountability_to_the_scriptures/#When:03:01:36Z The desert ascetics developed a nuanced practice of meditation. This was a process of repeating scriptural words or the words of the elder until they were committed to memory.  The oral exercise, in which the monk spoke and heard the words over and over, meant quite literally taking the words to heart so that, stored in one’s memory, they could serve as a reservoir of healing texts.  The desert ascetic was accountable to the Scriptures and they henceforth directed his or her life  Page 99 From:  Reading to Live: The Evolving Practice of Lectio Divina By:  Raymond Studzinski, OSB Click Book to Purchase. Thursday 2012-05-31T03:01:36+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/thursday_may_31/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/thursday_may_31/#When:03:01:06Z Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth, Feast “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.” (from Luke 1:39-56) These words from St. Luke’s Gospel form part of our Liturgy of the Hours each day. Each evening at Vespers we chant Mary’s answer in response to Elizabeth’s salutation to her at their meeting. Mary’s fiat to the angel finds broader expression. Likely during her journey to visit Elizabeth, Mary must have turned over Gabriel’s visit and words to her many times. Searching out the nuances, considering texts from the Torah she would have heard proclaimed in the synagogue. Mary’s canticle, or as we know it today as the Magnificat, praised God, acknowledged His blessings in her life, in the life of her people, and most importantly, the fulfillment of His promise, Today, take some time to ponder Mary’s words and how God is at work in your life as well. May we also be able to proclaim the greatness of the Lord! Reflections for the Day 2012-05-31T03:01:06+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/wednesday_may_30/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/wednesday_may_30/#When:03:01:54Z Wednesday, Eighth Week in Ordinary Time ”...Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (from Mark 10:32-45) Jesus’ words to his apostles in today’s Gospel certainly are not what we hear of the those in worldly power and authority today.  You see titles on books like “Servant Leadership” but you don’t hear much about it.  Jesus, however, came to serve, and ultimately to give his life so that we might once again enjoy eternity in heaven. Jesus told his apostles that the greatest among you will be your servant.  We, like the apostles, have a difficult time with this saying.  Our culture tells us to look out for your own best interests, to get ahead of the game, to promote yourself.  Jesus tells us to be like himself, meek and humble of heart (Matt 11:29).  To be like Jesus means to die to our self-centered interests and to die to ourselves—to allow Jesus to be our supreme and only example.  He gave us the example.  We only need to imitate it. Reflections for the Day 2012-05-30T03:01:54+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/ascent_to_wisdom_through_the_scriptures/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/ascent_to_wisdom_through_the_scriptures/#When:03:01:20Z [St.] Augustine presents a multistep program of ascent to wisdom through reading the Scriptures.  This program begins with a reverent fear of God and a humble search for God’s will.  Through knowledge of the Scriptures the reader discovers attachments to temporal things, repents, and turns toward eternal things.  Further purification increases the love shown to God, neighbor, and even enemies and finally brings the reader to wisdom and the enjoyment of peace and tranquility. (authors comments on St. Augustine’s “On Christian Instruction”)  Page 89 From:  Reading to Live: The Evolving Practice of Lectio Divina By:  Raymond Studzinski, OSB Click Book to Purchase. Wednesday 2012-05-30T03:01:20+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/reading_and_purification/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/reading_and_purification/#When:03:01:39Z The Word coming to beginners on the faith journey purifies them from sin.  Christ, the divine physician, approaches the soul to administer the appropriate medicine to free it from the sickness of sin. The medicine is the words of Scripture.  Sin has obscured the image of God within the person.  The beginner must work with God’s grace to remove all the other images that hide the image of God. In the process of purification the Word directs people to cut off their connections with evil and practice good works. The path to purification requires hearing the Word and acting on it, rooting out sin, and practicing virtue.  Page 46 From: Reading to Live: The Evolving Practice of Lectio Divina By:  Raymond Studzinski, OSB Click Book to Purchase. Tuesday 2012-05-29T03:01:39+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/tuesday_may_29/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/tuesday_may_29/#When:03:01:19Z Tuesday, Eighth Week in Ordinary Time Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:10-16) These words of St. Peter in today’s first reading are similiar in tone and message of St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians (3:2):  Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.  Whether Peter or Paul, the message is the same:  while we may live in the world, we are to “raise the bar” so to speak, and live as we are already living with Christ in heaven.  Relying on our own strength, it is impossible.  Rather, we are to imitate Christ:  Be holy because I [am] holy.  Holiness doesn’t come in an instant form, although many people wish it was a simple matter of “open package, stir into 1 cup of water, drink.  Result:  instant holiness.”  When creating man, God gifted Him with a free will.  It’s up to us to choose the good and reject the bad/evil.  Prayer is what makes it possible.  Making a place in our hearts for God to take up permanent residence, and allowing Him the freedom to transform our lives. Reflections for the Day 2012-05-29T03:01:19+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/monday_may_28/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/monday_may_28/#When:03:01:34Z Monday, Eighth Week in Ordinary Time Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet you believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:3-9) The closing lines of today’s first reading has echoes of Jesus’ words to Thomas in St. John’s Gospel, blessed are those who have not seen me yet still believe (John 20:29).  Our faith in Jesus does not rely on being able to perceive Him with our senses, but on knowing His presence with our hearts, placing our hope and trust in Him and His word.  Today in the United States we observe Memorial Day, a day set aside for all Americans to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country and the freedoms that we enjoy.  One of the freedoms we enjoy is the freedom of religion.  For this, we should be truly grateful.  There are many places around the world where this is not possible.  While most people look at it as the first “holiday” of the summer, it is important for us to stop and take a few moments to say a prayer of gratitude for these men and women.  Reflections for the Day 2012-05-28T03:01:34+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/lectio_divina_more_formative_than_informative/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/lectio_divina_more_formative_than_informative/#When:03:01:05Z The practice of lectio divina, developed through the monastic centuries, could bring healing to those who had been blinded by sin.  Reading would illuminate them and they would come to see themselves as they really are before God.  Monastic reading was the first (and necessary) step in a process of transformation that would lead through meditation to contemplation.  Through lectio readers acquired a sense of order of the world and their place within it.  The words read spoke to monastic readers and gave meaning to their lives.  Such reading was more formative than informative.  Page 17 From:  Reading to Live: The Evolving Practice of Lectio Divina By: Raymond Studzinski, OSB Click Book to Purchase. Monday 2012-05-28T03:01:05+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_may_27/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/lectio-lights/sunday_may_27/#When:03:01:57Z Pentecost Come, O Holy Spirit, come! From Your bright and blissful Home Rays of healing light impart. Come, Father of the poor, Source of gifts that will endure Light of every human heart. You of all consolers best, Of the soul most kindly Guest, Quickening courage do bestow. In hard labor You are rest, In the heat You refresh best, And solace give in our woe. O most blessed Light divine, Let Your radiance in us shine, And our inmost being fill. Nothing good by man is thought, Nothing right by him is wrought, When he spurns Your gracious Will. Cleanse our souls from sinful stain, Lave our dryness with Your rain, Heal our wounds and mend our way. Bend the stubborn heart and will, Melt the frozen, warm the chill, Guide the steps that go astray. On the faithful who in You, Trust with childlike piety, Deign Your sevenfold gift to send. Give them virtue’s rich increase, Saving grace to die in peace, Give them joys that never end. (Sequence for Pentecost) We are familiar with the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, but the Sequence shown above only comes into our liturgy once a year and it is full of treasures to mine—and a tremendous text to take to prayer.  It is a dialog between us and the Holy Spirit, a time of prayer and petition.  Today, when we celebrate and coomemorate the the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles after Christ’s Ascension, pray over the words of the Sequence for Pentecost.  Make the words your own as you invite the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in your life. Come, O Holy Spirit, come! Reflections for the Day 2012-05-27T03:01:57+00:00 http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/the_problem_of_spiritual_illiteracy/ http://www.stemma.org/benedictine-spirituality/day-by-day/the_problem_of_spiritual_illiteracy/#When:03:01:35Z What impedes some today who hunger for spiritual growth is precisely the inability to read in [a] deeper way, that is, to read in such a way as to be spiritually challenged and not just be given information.  Despite great strides in reducing illiteracy on many levels, society faces the problem of spiritual illiteracy.  The tragedy of spiritual illiteracy is found in being able to read the words but not derive the meaning.  Page 3 From: Reading to Live: The Evolving Practice of Lectio Divina By:  Raymond Studzinski, OSB Click Book to Purchase. Sunday 2012-05-27T03:01:35+00:00