Being An Offering

RB80 entitles Chapter 59 of the Rule: The offering of sons by nobles or by the poor.

This title has always seemed a little awkward to me since in our culture we do not deal regularly with nobility or even, in any real sense, offering the work of our hands or something personal to God at the Presentation of the Gifts. The concept of 'tithing' tries to address this issue except that in most cases, I can be so far removed from the weekly offering that is presented in a Sunday envelope or a monthly check that it is just one more monthly bill to pay.

I am reminded of the Gospel story of the widow's offering. She offered to God from what she needed for livelihood. Manytimes, I find myself offering God a portion of what is left over after everything else is done...the last few minutes of the day before I fall asleep, the last ounces of energy after I have done a day's work, the last bit of charity after I have spent it throughout the day.

I desire to give God my best rather than my leftovers. How am I offering the best that I have today to God?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Receiving What Is Needed

The abbot, however, must always bear in mind what is said in the Acts of the Apostles: 'Distribution was made to each one as he had need' (Acts 4:35). In this way the abbot will take into account the weaknesses of the needy, not the evil will of the envious; yet in all his judgments he must bear in mind God's retribution. RB 55.20-22

All of my needs are taken care of--that is a comforting thought. I do not have to worry about my own clothing, my supplies, my tools for ministry, the equipment I need to fulfill my daily tasks. What I do need is to practice trust--trust in the leadership of the group and trust the group to get me what is necessary.

• There is no need for me to devise my own private stash of food, supplies, tools, necessities for a day that might not be as plentiful. Although it is comforting to know that I have enough for myself and everyone else.
• There is no need to look over what others have and long for their possessions. Unless, of course, I am also willing to take on the responsibilities that often come with new gadgets. The iPhone does not look as appealing when I realize that having it will require that I also take on two new responsibilities within our group.
• I do not need to compare what I have with what others seem to get because I know that everyone has exactly what is needed at that time.

May I always remember to keep my focus on my own piece of creation.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Unhesitating Obedience

…they walk according to another’s decisions and directions…(RB80.5.12)

I never seem to stop being amazed and edified at the manner in which some of my sisters accept what the superior asks of them. It is not difficult to accept an assignment in the profession in which you are already trained, but it is most difficult to accept an assignment in a profession for which you are untrained and for which you have no desire to enter. But my friends—Sr Assumpta and Sr Scholastica were asked to do that. They were asked to be teachers. Sr Assumpta wanted to spend time on the farm with the chickens, cows and the garden; Sr Scholastica was a carpenter of sorts and an artist with many talents. But both put aside their concerns and their own will and prepared to be teachers. Both spent some 20+ years in the classroom: Sr Assumpta with 1st graders and Sr Scholastica with art classes. Both are among our most successful and beloved teachers. Sr Assumpta is teaching 1st graders in heaven now, but Sr Scholastica is still among us using her carpentry and artistic talents.

They both “walked according to another’s decisions and directions” and God blessed them and our community for doing so.


Sr. Veronica, OSB

Preparing for the Race

...we must run and do now what will profit us forever. (RB80.Prol. 44)

I am very competitive and I am generally successful in competitions. For me, my success is mostly luck rather than skill and training.

When I was younger, the thing that distinguished me from being a good student and a superior one was the amount of time and effort placed on studying. If I could get an A by listening, guessing well, and knowing how to talk or write myself out of any difficult question--why bother studying? Consequently, I would get the A's but not the A+s, which unfortunately held the scholarships and great prizes.

Now, I am being faced with running and putting into practice those principles which will eventually profit me in the end. Running sounds a little too sweaty and strenuous for me. I would much rather consider the requirement and slowly put them into practice after much sincere consideration. Obviously, that is not Benedict's plan. What are the practices to which he is alluding here? They are God's commands from before: seek peace, love good not evil, be sincere, always have the truth in my heart, and seek God. Can I live by these? The way to show that I am willing to live by these is to make an immediate change with God's grace. It will not be easy but it can be done.

I pray always to be willing to follow God's plan for me.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Be Prepared

RB 53: “The guest quarters (in the monastery) are to be entrusted to a God-fearing brother. Adequate bedding should be available there.”

One activity I enjoy is cooking and making a special meal for the Sisters in the community. I secretly admire women like Martha Stewart who can see what is available in her surroundings and make it into a simple yet welcoming and inviting setting for her family and friends.

We are all called to use our talents where they are needed. Details do matter in making others comfortable, in meeting their needs, whether it is being attentive to the neighbor who always seems to show up right in the middle of making dinner or accommodating the relatives who need a firm mattress and are allergic to feather pillows and wool blankets.

Be prepared. Jesus talked about the servant who was ready to serve the master on his arrival. As my mother would say, always have an angel food cake in the freezer that you can thaw out to serve to unexpected company.

Wisdom resides in the ordinary.

Sr. Marie Therese, OSB

No Pain, All Gain

Through this love, all that he once performed with dread, he will now begin to observe without effort… (RB 7.68)

When I took piano lessons growing up, I loved to play but hated the practice. I like the exhilaration I feel when exercising but hate getting sweaty and dirty. In school I was bright and got good grades but never really mastered the discipline of studying well. I hate practice and discipline but love the rewards of it.

The second half of this passage appeals to me—I want to have all the benefits of the twelve steps of humility but I don’t like the pain that is involved in mastering the skills and attitudes necessary. No pain, all gain.

By focusing on my love for God (and my desire to continue growing in that love), all that had seemed difficult or burdensome or impossible initially will become joy and pleasure. The key to this transformation is love and the knowledge that I am not alone in this task.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Bearing Suffering

…his heart quietly embraces suffering and endures it without weakening or seeking escape. (RB 7.35-36)

I envy people who can suffer silently without making a big deal about it. That is definitely not me. If I am suffering or in pain, I make sure that everyone knows about it, knows the cause, and shares in the sorrow of it. (Sometimes it’s TMI but that’s okay.)

Here Benedict is inviting me to accept hardship and suffering patiently and quietly as a normal part of life. Not only am I supposed to accept suffering but pray for the grace not to weaken or to seek an easy escape path.

May God grant me the grace needed to accept my little sufferings quietly and patiently.

Sr. Catherine

For the Good of the Whole

In the monastery no one is to follow his own heart’s desire…(RB 3.8 )

Well, that sounds like a deal-breaker! What kind of lifestyle is this?

Remembering that this admonition comes in the chapter entitled “Summoning the Community for Counsel” we keep in mind that Benedict here is writing about the community sharing advice about a decision concerning the whole community. In these circumstances, a community member is obliged to consider the good of the whole community over what her own preferences may be. That may be difficult, especially when it is something which may “hit close to home” for an individual or group within the community. For example, the community question may concern taking on a new ministry which may affect me personally. Or the question may be around remodeling the monastery and it may mean I have to give up some personal space for the good of the bigger project.

These moments of dying to oneself are difficult and do occasionally come to all living monastic life. The beauty is the moment when one understands that the “sacrifice” may just be another blessing in disguise.

Sr. Christine