This time, oh God, change our hearts and thoughts

Have you ever felt stuck in your Lenten practices? Attempts that didn’t lead to a change of heart and ongoing conversion? Several years back I came across a very interesting Lenten resolution written by Keith Bierraum. One “Lent I gave up my right to be offended and to take offense. Every day, practically every hour, I blundered my way into realizing how much time, effort and energy is take up with defending myself and exacting whatever retribution is most easily available. I have given too much energy on feeling wronged or feeling righteous toward anyone who has let me down or disagreed with me. This led to letting go of my right to be correct and to correct others because I am right. What a relief.”

Though exacting retribution seems way out of the ordinary (or is it?), I believe Keith’s resolution is a worthy consideration. My experience suggests that most/many of us know firsthand what he is saying.  Much of life’s precious time can be swallowed up in feeling offended and nursing past hurts which leads to destruction of one’s quality of life and absorbs too many thoughts. Awareness, humility, discipline and above all prayer become the ingredients for shedding the need to hold the grudge.

 

After pondering Keith’s experience, I am reminded of Luke’s parable of cleaning the house to get rid of one devil only to have seven more return to the empty house. (Luke11: 24 -25) In the decision not to take offense at remarks deemed hurtful or mean, it is of import to decide how to “replace” the time spent resenting, bemoaning or begrudging etc. with open hearted prayer, and engagement in behaviors that promote well-being and growth.  The Church’s ancient plea to Lenten discipline calls us to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These praxis offers specific help to the seeker. All three offer opportunities to go out of self for the sake of deepening one’s relationship with God and God’s people. Think about what a beautiful world this could be if we nurtured and practiced forgiveness and loving-kindness.

Sr. Aileen Bankemper, OSB

A Look at Benedictine Community Life

Community members are rooted in Christ by the Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Hours and Lectio.

Religious Life is a call to living in community. It is a day-to-day encounter with one’s sisters who have also answered the same call.

There are many personalities in community that we encounter day to day.  How do we relate to each other?  We learn very quickly what each person likes or dislikes. We try to promote the likes and minimize the dislikes. (This produces harmony.)

Religious life is a blend of talents or gifts that we share.  Each of us have certain gifts that enhance or compliment community. A few are good at planning liturgies, some have good singing voices

some are artists, others are good at baking or cooking, a few are good at moving furniture or fixing broken objects. It is good that we are not all good at everything because it helps us to depend on each other. (It is good to feel wanted, this produces humility).

Community life is also celebration. We celebrate each other’s birthdays, feast days and some holidays and holy days. Community members love parties and we do have our share of these as well as scheduled or unscheduled card games.

Community life reaches out to help others either collectively or by each of one’s ministries, either internal (at the Monastery) or external (within the broader Church or service organizations) serving in various ways.

Benedictine ministry is very conscious of hospitality and stewardship and these values are part of our charism. A Benedictine Community is never lacking in guests.

A Reflection on Prayer

          Sr. David Ruschman is retired from nursing, now her main ministry is prayer. Sr. Dorothy Schuette is retired from parish duties and is now ministering through spiritual companionship and prayer. For this blog Sr. Dorothy asked Sr. David to share her reflections about prayer.

Sr. Dorothy Schuette

           Sr. David can’t see to read which limits her participation in that way at Liturgy of the Hours when much of the prayer, which are the Psalms, is read by community members as a group.

What’s it like to be in chapel with the community for Liturgy of the Hours and Mass?

           “I want to be there. I am praying too by listening and being there; I don’t want to be absent. I can join in out loud on the parts that I know by heart because we say them all the time.”

Can you share with me how your prayer might be difference that if you could see?

          “For me, it’s more mental prayer.”

          “I’m getting a little closer to the Lord. It’s easier to put myself in His Presence. I’m grateful that we have the chapel and that it’s so accessible. I can stop by any time. And I know that the Lord is right here with me and Jesus is present.”

Sr. David Ruschmann

           “I’ve been given the job of praying for the community and I enjoy it. I go through the names individually as sisters are sitting in chapel and I pray for groups if I don’t know who’s sitting where.           It’s a pleasure to just pray that the hand of God will be on them. I don’t ask for particular outcomes; all problems are important to the people who have them.”

How has prayer affected your life?

          “Praying gives me peace of mind. Makes me feel safe and that there is a purpose in everything. I am doing it for God and feel close to Jesus, almost like I can touch him. It gives me hope for       happiness and eternal life for myself, family, the community and everyone.”

          “When I was younger I was so busy that there was not much time for prayer and often not much energy either. Now I feel like I am making up for those times. I am glad to have this time. I can’t think of any place I’d rather be because it gives me time to pray.”

          “I really enjoy life. I am more grateful for my vocation than ever before.” 

         

              Sr. Dorothy Schuette, OSB

23 and Me

          This past week I received the results of my 23andMe genetic testing kit. My kit tested my ancestry and how my DNA can affect my chances of developing certain health conditions. I wasn’t anticipating any surprises but watched my inbox expectantly secretly hoping for some. I REALLY find these types of things fascinating-just ask any Sister who sat with me at dinner this week! The email came: “Your reports are ready.”

         The genetics report predicts:

• 74% chance detached earlobes—correct.
• 52% chance of blue eyes—correct.
• More likely to be bitten by mosquitoes—VERY correct!
• There were more fun things like this but then I got into the ancestry.

          65.1% Irish. No surprise there. The rest was a mixture of German, French, Scandinavian, and .3% Southern European. The surprise came from the .1% that was “broadly Central Asian, Northern Indian, and Pakistani.” My world just grew larger. I wonder what part of me is from them?

          This test also connects you with anyone else with shared DNA who has taken this test. I, of course, matched with my father, but I also have 1270 other cousins. Most of the cousins are here in the United States but some matched as far away as Helsinki, Munich, and Madrid. I decided to contact a second cousin—the first female on the list. Her name is Laurie. She lives in Iowa and is around my age. She replied to my email almost immediately with a promise of more information when she returns home from the Mayo Clinic. She is being treated for multiple myeloma. That dampened the excitement. But it did cause me to think about our connection. I shared with her that I am approaching my one year checkup for breast cancer. Cancer is not a trait I wish anyone to share with me; yet, it is the first thing I have in common with my new Iowa cousin. I promised prayers and knew my world wasn’t so big after all.

          How could we be second cousins yet never knew the other existed? How did I not know I carry the gene for cystic fibrosis (another surprise)? How did I never imagine being related to so many people? But I suppose in many ways we are all connected—whether by DNA, a disease, a familial trait (somehow my height comes from a Neanderthal ancestor!) or a shared faith.

          This week my world got larger and smaller at the same time. 23 and me became 23 and more. And who doesn’t want more of a good thing?

          Eileen O'Connell, OSB