The Way of Life

"...the Lord shows us the way of life."  (RB. Prologue)

I like self- help books and diy guides. I use them as suggestions for how to achieve a desired goal. So while I would never really follow a pattern exactly I would at least use it as a guide for knowing what the basic result should look like upon completion. The experimentation that I do along the way as I aim at this goal just adds more excitement and variety to the journey.

St. Benedict tells us that God shows us the way of life--in a sense, God hands us a basic plan of what life can look like if we follow the advice and guidelines set before us in the Rule. I like that because although the process for baking a cake or making a decoration might not be that important within itself; my life is. I want to make sure that I am heading at least in the correct direction in my life. I desire to know at the end that I have been heading towards God all along not just wandering about aimlessly. This knowledge gives me a little peace as I continue on my journey.

May God bless everyone today as we continue on our journey towards God.

Sr. Catherine

Now Is the Hour to Arise from Sleep

I am most definitely a "morning" person. Actually, more like a late night/early morning person. I function best between about 1:30 and 6:00 am. My thinking seems to be clearer (or at least, the racing thoughts are more slowed down) and I can be quiet and reflective. There is not much else that can happen at this time of day. Usually, I don't even feel tired or sleep deprived...just kind of calm and secure. I have been this way since childhood...my favorite time of day was early mornings sitting in the corner of the kitchen as my grandmother would get things started for the day.

Today, Benedict invites us to rouse ourselves and to face the deifying light which is Christ in our daily encounters. This search for God in daily life reminds me of waiting for the sunrise early in the day. Sometimes the wait can be long and seemingly eternal, at other times, it can be surprisingly quick. Sometimes seeing God in my life can feel like an impossible "treasure hunt" and other times it is an amazing gift. Yet, everyday (at every moment) God is there if my eyes and ears and heart are open to the encounter.

How is God being present in my life today?

Sr. Catherine

Listen with the Ear of Your Heart

I recently finished a major translation project for the Communio Internationalis Benedictarum (CIB), an international consortium of Benedictine Women. They are preparing to have their Symposium in Italy in a few weeks. Their Symposium is held every four years. The topic for this conference is "Listen with the Ear of Your Heart."  I was privileged to be invited to provide the Spanish translations for this event.

As I worked on preparing the texts, I was invited into the experience of attending this conference (although from a distance) since I had access to the material for all of the keynote speakers and most of the other information provided for the participants. In the process I learned a couple of things:

1. I was able to see that although I have good language skills in both English and Spanish...there is still plenty of space for growth in both.  Yet, once again, I do not know EVERYTHING...this time, though, I could be okay with this new understanding.
2. There is lots to continue learning and listening to and I can get really excited about all that is happening today in the areas of monastic research.
3. It is good to be able to do some of the background preparation to get an international event going--although I would love to be there one of these years.
4. In listening to one another and in sharing different insights everyone grows.

I can definitely see where there is a need for more collaboration on a global level. And I am excited to be able to participate even on a small scale.

Today, as we stop and ask for God's blessings on human labor, I pray for all to be able to find dignity and worth in whatever their work or ministry is in our world.

Sr. Catherine