Forgiveness, Twice a Day
Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict
Years ago I was in a group trying to bring healing in a denominational skirmish. We talked about mutual confession, for everyone to lay down the need to be right and to confess that all played a part in the problem. One man, representing his group, said, “I don’t know what we need to confess. We haven’t done anything wrong.” For him all . . .
Seinfeld and the Psalms
Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict
Here’s a feel-old realization for you: Seinfeld, which started in 1989, is 25 years old. In the 90’s I watched it every Thursday night I was home, and since then I watch the reruns which live on in syndication. I often say, “That reminds me of the Seinfeld episode . . .” If you watched it you know what I’m talking about: the George Costanza . . .
The Divine Office at Night
Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict
Monks’ days start with prayer. It’s an early start, too. Some begin at 3:30 AM, others as late as 5:30. Benedict suggests, in Chapter 8 of his rule, that they arise in the eighth hour of night for the first gathering of prayer, usually called Vigils. Sometime in the early or not-so-early hours they gather for prayer. I’ve written about . . .
Quietly Embrace Suffering
Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict
This one is tricky. Suffering is almost never viewed as positive. No one, with a healthy mind, thinks, “I really need a little more suffering in my life.” Benedict, though, in his steps of humility, advises monks to be obedient, even in rough circumstances, and when facing these circumstances have a heart that “quietly embraces . . .
Christmas Day Traveler
On Tuesdays I send a short email newsletter to folks in my church, and it includes a small thought for the day. This is an expanded version of this week's thought:
I am a Christmas day traveler. Since I’ve been in ministry I have led Christmas Eve services, and that means if I want to see my family in Missouri for Christmas I . . .
Moving Up
Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict
I was a kid in the 70’s and 80’s, and parked in front of the television I watched a bunch of episodes of The Jeffersons. The memories are weaker now, but I remember George Jefferson owned a successful chain of dry cleaning businesses, and he and his wife, Louise, were doing well enough that they bought an apartment in a high-rise . . .
Light on an Advent Retreat
Walking through the dark, frozen air of an early December morning in Michigan I think, “I’m probably the only person in the world who has this as the idea of a fun weekend.” The monks I am visiting at St. Gregory’s Abbey begin their first time of prayer at 4 AM. Most who know me know if it was at midnight I would be yawning and begging . . .