So how is your Lent going?

          Sunday marks the midpoint of Lent. Have you ever had the experience that with the exception of Lent time goes quickly? Staying with our Lenten practices when multiple temptations set in makes the season, even for the strong,a challenge. We can take some comfort knowing that even Jesus was tempted during his forty days. For me"the demon of acedia – “sloth or laziness” can set in. The early monastics referred to it as the “noonday demon –the one who makes it seem that the sun barely moves.”

Keeping close to the daily liturgical readings, pondering and responding to them provides an antidote.

One message from Wednesday’s reading is to “observe God’s teaching and we will have life.”(Deut. 4:6) How does my life reflect how I am observing God’s teaching?

          Tomorrow, God speaks to us directly “listen to my voice then I will be your God and you will be my people.”(Jer. 7:23) How do I listen with the ear of the heart? How have I become one of God’s faithful people?

On Friday, Hosea reminds us that we “have collapsed through our guilt” (Hos. 14:2)and it is our good and gracious God who “heals our defections,and loves us freely.”(Hos14:4)And in turn, Jesus, in the Gospel for today is explicit in his expectation of us: “You must love God with your whole heart. . . AND you must love your neighbor as yourself.(Mark 12:29, 31)That is a very tall order and ought to draw one out of acedia!

On Saturday, Hosea again reminds us, God is much more interested in our love rather than our sacrifices. (Hos. 6:6)If our Lenten practices are not leading us to be greater lovers we are missing the point of Jesus’ presence among us.

 The Sunday Gospel exemplifies that love, the merciful father daily scouring the fields and “while his son was still a long way off caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.”(Luke 15:21)The father exudes joy and warmly embraces his errant son and welcomes him home.

          God’s fidelity and love is so much greater than our malaise. May a renewed zeal drive us into the remaining weeks of Lent.

         Sr. Aileen Bankemper, OSB

What If?

       This week we celebrate two major feasts—St. Joseph and St. Benedict.

       In reflecting first on St. Joseph and then on St. Benedict the same thought keeps coming to mind: WHAT IF?

       What if St. Joseph had said, “No thanks” to the angel? What if he had left Mary to face her future on her own? What if he had not been able to accept the unexpected? What if he had not had the faith to accept the responsibilities and blessings and uncertainties that his life would have?

       Our salvation history would be different—not that I know what it would have been, but the important people would not have been the same.

       What if St. Benedict had remained in his cave at Subiaco and not allowed others to join him? What if he had not envisioned a monastery with an abbot? What if he had not written the Rule that would be followed by thousands of men and women throughout the centuries?

       My history would be different—not meeting Benedictine sisters from first grade onward, not being part of St. Walburg Monastery, not writing this blog!

       And I ask, “What if” we make our decisions with faith and generosity? Where will that lead?

          Sr. Nancy Kordenbrock, OSB

Navigation Practices

                       Life recently has tossed me several unexpected twist and turns with lots of ambiguity and no quick resolution.   In trying to cope I’ve had to be intentional about increasing practices which give me strength to navigate.  Below are some practices I’ve been using.  I find having several options is good in case I need more than one or something is not available. 

• ·         Stretching … I find it grounds me and releases the tension stored in my body
• ·         Window shopping…cost nothing and you see interesting things.  Pier I and Target are among my favorite spots to look
• ·         Be with God…God welcomes our prayers, pleas, cursing, and silence
• ·         Breathe deeply…often and all the way down to the belly to create space and foster relaxation
• ·         Music…my current favorite is an Aretha Franklin playlist which runs the gamut of emotions.         
•         Monopoly with friends…passes hours of fun and provides distraction
  
  from the day to day (love the National Park version)
• ·         Talking with friends…their willingness to listen, offer a different perspective or just be with me in the muck is priceless
• ·         Practice gratitude…notice the little things each day a kindness, something of beauty, or sometimes safely making it to the end of the day
• ·         Reading…I usually a variety of fiction, non-fiction, or just interesting books from the library pro
• ·         Make space…when life is stressful we need some space to just be or perhaps even rest so we can rejuvenate and return to the tasks at hand

Whatever space in which you find yourself I encourage you to think about the practices which help you navigate the changing circumstances of life.  Blessings on your journey! 

         Sr. Kimberly Porter, OSB

With the Sign of Ashes

Remember, you are dust and to dust you shall return.

With the sign of ashes on our foreheads we enter into Lent. We are marked people, as Cain was, sinners nonetheless, trying to reform our lives in the school of the Lord’s service.

For many years I did not realize that the ashes were made by burning the palm from the previous year’s Palm Sunday—carefully braided palm fronds, collected and burned by the sacristan. From hosanna to dust. Repeat next year.

           

Thomas Merton wrote that “The Church uses material things in the liturgy because they speak eloquently of God…we must learn to use our senses…to appreciate the sacramental aids to holiness…” He continues, “The material things which surround us are holy because of our bodies, which are sanctified by our souls, which are sanctified by the presence of the indwelling word.”* 

The dust from which we come is given life, sanctified in baptism, marked by ashes, brought to repentance and new life. Our earthly remains are committed to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.   And out of that dust, in an unending cycle, comes abundant and eternal life.

           

*The Monastic Journey

         Sr. Christa Kreinbrink, OSB