Being Aware and Prepared

Advent 2011 

          

“Be Watchful, Be Alert! You do not know when the time will come.”  Mk 13:33-34

  

Many of you remember my friends and colleagues, Bishop Bill and Rev. Mary Christen, from days past.  For those of you who do not know them, Bill and Mary were instrumental in forming the Grey Robe Benedictines some ten years ago.  The three of us spent many hours discussing, sometimes passionately, the value of small faith communities where the divine experience becomes unique and personal.  We fully embraced the tenet that faith is communal long before it becomes personal.  We agreed that Benedict realized this very early and it was the core belief in his development of the Rule which establishes an environment in which the divine experience is consistently present in community.

Living the Rule provides the opportunity for us to live in a constant state of preparedness.  However, this does not mean preparing for things to come, but to experience the divine in the present.   After all, what good does it do to prepare for the next life if we are not living the life given to us in the present-day?  The Rule provides us the tools to work on our awareness of the present.

Through the acceptance of our vows of stability in community, conversion in the way of life, and poverty of attachments we begin the trek to total awareness.   In this journey we are challenged to carry out the elements of radical hospitality, prayer, and work.   Sounds fulfilling, but where do we start?

Living out the Rule begins right where we are in life.  We need look no further than our home, workplace and local community.  In all three places we can encounter the divine when we are present to those who feel ostracized, need a helping hand, a word of encouragement or the opportunity to share a moment of joy.  As a monastery without walls, this makes our community gatherings very special as we share our experiences with one another.  The community helps us glean presence of God in our experiences far beyond our imagination.  What a tremendous gift Benedict gave us to become aware and alert!

As we celebrate this season of Advent, let us avail ourselves of every opportunity to build our awareness, “for we know not the day or the hour when the master will return.”

May each of you experience the peaceful presence of God during this season of reflection.

Terry M. Boyer, OSB

Abbot Visitor

Litany of St. Benedict

I am pleased to share with you a Litany of St. Benedict that was sent to me by Fr. Columba Wylie, OSB of the Eastern Province, European Region.  This is a beautiful litany and can be prayed at anytime. However, it is recommended that it be recited on the Feast of St. Benedict, July 11.

I thank Fr. Columba for his devotion and for passing this on to us.

PAX,
Abbot Terry

Lectio Divina in a Communal Setting

The practice of Lectio Divina is addressed by St. Benedict in the Prologue to his Rule.  He refers to it as listening with the "ears of the heart."  Through this ancient method, we are able to listen intently to the voice of God speak to our inner being and mold us into authentic human beings. 

Lectio Divina practiced in community can be an equally rewarding experience when we dialogue about the ways in which the scriptures have spoken to us as individuals.  While its practice is not to be confused with Scripture Study, it can enlighten everyone who participates. 

Lectio Divina as a Group provides the method for practicing Lectio Divina in community.  This practice takes discipline and patience, but it can be very enlightening.   If you are unable to meet with your religious community, try it with friends or with your family; the Spirit speaks through all.

PAX

New Website

Our new website has finally made its appearance! I am pleased to say that we have included new form elements for prayer requests and for those inquiring about membership in the order. 

My intent with the website and the blog is to keep our inquirers, oblates and professed members up to date regarding news from our order.   I would also like to make the blog available for those who would wish to share some thought or reflection with our community.

God has been good to our order and it is important that we share that goodness with one another and those who are seeking a closer relationship with God through the Rule of Benedict.

I am most grateful for the patience shown by all during this transition.

PAX

Celebration in Sacramento

This weekend, I had the pleasure of celebrating the Abbatial Blessing of Rev. Larry Crinnin, OSB and Rev. Robert Hart, OSB.  Abbot Larry will serve as the Abbot Provincial of the Eastern Province and Abbot Robert will serve as the Abbot Provincial of the Western Province.  Abbot Robert is also the first Abbot of the Sts. Benedict and Scholastic Abbey in Sacramento.  We are blessed by their presence and the gifts they bring to our Order.

Also present this weekend was Abbot-elect Br. Kieran Gardner, OSB from St. Dunstan's Priory in Denver.  Abbot-elect Kieran will serve as the first Abbot of St. Dunstan's and will work with applicants to the Order.

Our Order is blessed with growing numbers of spirituality seekers.  God has blessed us abundantly and, I am confident, this additional leadership will bring our order to new heights as we work to bring the love of Christ to all.

Abbot Terry