Yesterday was the 1st Sunday of Advent...the beginning of a new year for our Church. Coming a few days after Thanksgiving and Black Friday and just before Cyber Monday the beginning of Advent can often seem like just a little bump on the road on the way to Christmas.
This year, the 1st Sunday of Advent was truly memorable since that was the day designated for the implementation of the 3rd edition of the Roman Missal. Although many faced this day with a mixture of excitement and concern, the first liturgical weekend is now behind us and all went fairly well. Yes, there were a few mistakes and some awkward moments as we all tried to remember the appropriate new responses--or juggle multiple sheets and books but overall it was good.
Our monastic community took an extra leap in also revising our Office books (common prayer books) this past weekend. So now even the psalms which we had been praying together for years have a few new words or phrasing that is a little different. We had been working towards revising our books for a few years so in one sense it was a welcome change and exciting--although still one more new thing.
We are learning patience with ourselves and others as we pray together. We are grateful for the wonderful gift of the liturgy. We are most grateful to God for providing the grace, strength and insight needed to remember what is most essential in our faith.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Showing posts with label shared wisdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shared wisdom. Show all posts
Monday, November 28, 2011
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Table Reading
Reading will always accompany the meals of the brothers. The reader should not be the one who just happens to pick up the book, but someone who will read for a whole week, beginning on Sunday. RB80.38.1
One of my favorite school memories is our daily reading time. Everyday from 1st--8th grade our teacher would read to us for a few minutes, usually at the end of lunch recess to help transition us back into studying. I always loved the stories our teachers read and looked forward to the next day's reading.
St. Benedict offers us this experience by suggesting table reading. While everyone is getting settled into their places and trying to clear their minds of unfinished tasks or past worries, there is a restful transition time to bring all back to the table. In our community, we usually read for about 10 minutes at the beginning of dinner to provide an opportunity for all to begin the meal and to provide some table conversation starters. Manytimes, a lively discussion will follow our period of reading.
Table reading is also a discipline that is necessary for those of us who rarely stop talking and moving. Listening to the reading helps me to quiet my heart and my spirit so that I can become more present to those around me.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
One of my favorite school memories is our daily reading time. Everyday from 1st--8th grade our teacher would read to us for a few minutes, usually at the end of lunch recess to help transition us back into studying. I always loved the stories our teachers read and looked forward to the next day's reading.
St. Benedict offers us this experience by suggesting table reading. While everyone is getting settled into their places and trying to clear their minds of unfinished tasks or past worries, there is a restful transition time to bring all back to the table. In our community, we usually read for about 10 minutes at the beginning of dinner to provide an opportunity for all to begin the meal and to provide some table conversation starters. Manytimes, a lively discussion will follow our period of reading.
Table reading is also a discipline that is necessary for those of us who rarely stop talking and moving. Listening to the reading helps me to quiet my heart and my spirit so that I can become more present to those around me.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Monday, May 17, 2010
Family Meetings
As often as anything important is to be done in the monastery, the abbot shall call the whole community together and himself explain what the business is; and after hearing the advice of the brothers, let him ponder it and follow what he judges the wiser course,...
Benedict advices that whenever there is important business to be addressed all are to be called together to discuss the matter. Everyone, from the oldest to the youngest, is to be included. This directive makes sense to me because since the decision will probably affect my future in some way, I want to be included. I like to know what is happening around me.
Culture and society might question, however, why include the older and the younger; why include everyone. The older might seem a little unwieldy to deal with. For example, they might need more information or they might not be as anxious as the younger to jump at change. The younger might seem to lack the maturity or experience necessary to provide meaningful insight. They might, however, bring in a new perspective or ask incisive questions. Including everyone could potentially prolong the process since the more views expressed the longer the discussion will last.
Central to this advice is the fact that the more the members are involved in planning the future, the more ownership and commitment that is likely to be expressed. If I feel like I helped design my own future, I will be more invested and engaged in the success of the project. Benedict's wisdom is in finding a way in which all can be engaged in decision making for the group.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Benedict advices that whenever there is important business to be addressed all are to be called together to discuss the matter. Everyone, from the oldest to the youngest, is to be included. This directive makes sense to me because since the decision will probably affect my future in some way, I want to be included. I like to know what is happening around me.
Culture and society might question, however, why include the older and the younger; why include everyone. The older might seem a little unwieldy to deal with. For example, they might need more information or they might not be as anxious as the younger to jump at change. The younger might seem to lack the maturity or experience necessary to provide meaningful insight. They might, however, bring in a new perspective or ask incisive questions. Including everyone could potentially prolong the process since the more views expressed the longer the discussion will last.
Central to this advice is the fact that the more the members are involved in planning the future, the more ownership and commitment that is likely to be expressed. If I feel like I helped design my own future, I will be more invested and engaged in the success of the project. Benedict's wisdom is in finding a way in which all can be engaged in decision making for the group.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Counter-Cultural Living: Table Reading
Monastic communities have long had a tradition of reading at the table during one of the daily meals. The material read differs from community to community and the length of the reading time may vary but for the most part monastic communities continue this tradition of reading during a meal to this day.
In our community, we read the first ten minutes of dinner during the week unless it is a special feast day. During that time, we are fed intellectually and spiritually as we are fed physically. Ideally the material read will serve as a conversation starter at our tables. It helps stimulate our imaginations and gives us all a common platform from which to speak.
Although I was a little hesitant about the value of this reading when I was younger, I have come to appreciate this brief time of daily silence. There have been lots of good conversations and sharing that has happened through this practice of reflective reading.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
In our community, we read the first ten minutes of dinner during the week unless it is a special feast day. During that time, we are fed intellectually and spiritually as we are fed physically. Ideally the material read will serve as a conversation starter at our tables. It helps stimulate our imaginations and gives us all a common platform from which to speak.
Although I was a little hesitant about the value of this reading when I was younger, I have come to appreciate this brief time of daily silence. There have been lots of good conversations and sharing that has happened through this practice of reflective reading.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Being Exempt
I remember when I was a just a young sister in the community and one of the older professed sisters said to me, “Just wait until you are professed and you won’t have to help with dishes and housecleaning and other mundane tasks.” Well, time passed and our membership dwindled and now I am one of the older professed sisters and I still help with the dishes and the cooking and the other mundane tasks of keeping up a home. And I am pleased not to be exempt from such tasks.
Sometimes, in a family we think we are exempt from doing whatever we can to make our home a joyful, pleasant place. Benedict tells us in Chapter 3 of his Rule, “all are to follow the teachings of the rule”…”no one is the follow his own heart’s desire.”
Sr. Veronica, OSB
Sometimes, in a family we think we are exempt from doing whatever we can to make our home a joyful, pleasant place. Benedict tells us in Chapter 3 of his Rule, “all are to follow the teachings of the rule”…”no one is the follow his own heart’s desire.”
Sr. Veronica, OSB
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Why Don't We Send a Letter
Once I was a member of a Board of Advisors for a university. At one of our meetings we were in a dilemma. One of our biggest donors had submitted an outlandish proposal for use of a $500,000 donation he was going to make to the university. After debating for three hours, one meek soul suggested we write a letter to the donor saying we had his proposal under advisement. Time passed and after a few visits with the donor, he agreed to let the university decide how best to use the money.
This experience illustrates to me the wisdom of Benedict when he tells the Abbot to call the community together for counsel before making important decisions. It is often that “the Lord reveals what is better to the younger,” or perhaps to the quietest among us.
Sr. Veronica, OSB
This experience illustrates to me the wisdom of Benedict when he tells the Abbot to call the community together for counsel before making important decisions. It is often that “the Lord reveals what is better to the younger,” or perhaps to the quietest among us.
Sr. Veronica, OSB
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Service Within Community
One of the most striking ways in which monastic communities are different from secular culture are in the way we elect leadership in community.
The word "election" brings images of campaigning, voting, competition, promises to mind--all of which are part of the American election process. In a monastic context though, there are surprisingly few instances of campaigning, competition or promises found. In a monastic setting, election is made after much prayer, discernment, discussion and goal setting. It is a very dialogical type of process. The community strives to set goals for the future and to select the person who God seems to be preparing to help lead the community in the meeting of these goals. There is little illusion of power and most times the person feels somewhat overwhelmed at the task at hand.
Taking this model of servant-leadership that is directed by prayer, I often wonder what corporate America would look like if directed in this way.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
The word "election" brings images of campaigning, voting, competition, promises to mind--all of which are part of the American election process. In a monastic context though, there are surprisingly few instances of campaigning, competition or promises found. In a monastic setting, election is made after much prayer, discernment, discussion and goal setting. It is a very dialogical type of process. The community strives to set goals for the future and to select the person who God seems to be preparing to help lead the community in the meeting of these goals. There is little illusion of power and most times the person feels somewhat overwhelmed at the task at hand.
Taking this model of servant-leadership that is directed by prayer, I often wonder what corporate America would look like if directed in this way.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Monday, November 16, 2009
Listening to a Good Story
My first year teaching I was assigned a class of 70 seventh and eighth graders. Some days I had total bedlam, but not for 30 minutes on Monday afternoons.
On Mondays the girls, 40 of them, went to choir; this left me with 30 boys. I learned early on that they loved a good story and loved to be read to. So for that 30 minutes I read to them. It was the most peaceful 30 minutes in my day.
Sharing thought provoking reading and conversation, mealtimes are peaceful times in the monastery too.
Sr. Veronica, OSB
On Mondays the girls, 40 of them, went to choir; this left me with 30 boys. I learned early on that they loved a good story and loved to be read to. So for that 30 minutes I read to them. It was the most peaceful 30 minutes in my day.
Sharing thought provoking reading and conversation, mealtimes are peaceful times in the monastery too.
Sr. Veronica, OSB
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Receiving Counsel
“As often as anything important is to be done in the monastery, the abbot shall call the whole community together and himself explain what the business is; and after hearing the advice of the brothers, let him ponder it and follow what he judges the wiser course, The reason why we have said all should be called for counsel is that the Lord often reveals what is better to the younger. (RB 3.1-3)
A somewhat longer quote for today’s reflection to give a flavor of what Benedict had in mind regarding the decision-making process of the community. While it is up to the leader to make the final decision, it is also necessary to receive the advice of all. As we often hear, we each hold a piece of the truth. It is in our sharing of the pieces of truth that our shared wisdom comes to bear on a decision.
Benedict’s inclusion of the youngest members in the process is quite a new idea in ancient Rome! It is often easy to forget that someone with a fresh perspective can bring us into a new way of thinking, breaking from the “we’ve always done it this way” mentality. In the verses which follow the quote above, Benedict reminds the monks that all are to speak with all humility and not to defend one’s own opinion obstinately. This, too, is a new way of doing things – even in our day!
Benedict trusts that his followers, having been formed in the monastic way, are able to speak the truth lovingly from their hearts and are able to listen and choose wisely.
Sr. Christine, OSB
A somewhat longer quote for today’s reflection to give a flavor of what Benedict had in mind regarding the decision-making process of the community. While it is up to the leader to make the final decision, it is also necessary to receive the advice of all. As we often hear, we each hold a piece of the truth. It is in our sharing of the pieces of truth that our shared wisdom comes to bear on a decision.
Benedict’s inclusion of the youngest members in the process is quite a new idea in ancient Rome! It is often easy to forget that someone with a fresh perspective can bring us into a new way of thinking, breaking from the “we’ve always done it this way” mentality. In the verses which follow the quote above, Benedict reminds the monks that all are to speak with all humility and not to defend one’s own opinion obstinately. This, too, is a new way of doing things – even in our day!
Benedict trusts that his followers, having been formed in the monastic way, are able to speak the truth lovingly from their hearts and are able to listen and choose wisely.
Sr. Christine, OSB
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