Gleanings

 

This year I started a new job here at our monastery. I became the gardener for the interior patio. I expected to like the work. I had helped Sr. Mariana for a couple of seasons beforehand and still depend upon her wisdom and experience for advice and methods. But I had never seriously planted anything much before, at least anything that actually grew up to be something. So now as I see the abundance of color and lots of foliage, I am amazed and proud.

 

It’s rewarding to hear the Sisters talk about how much the beauty of the garden lifts their spirits. We certainly have had limited opportunities for “new growth” of any kind during this year and a-half of Covid-induced isolation. Those who keep an eye on things in the patio discover something new everyday: an emerging tiny bud, an expanding blossom, visiting birds and butterflies, greenery that exceeds all expectations and some plants that are already completing one phase of their life cycle for the year, providing us with a metaphor for the Paschal Mystery.

 

The garden has taught me. (Mostly about the weeding needed in life.) I offer the following verse as an example of nature’s lessons that make me smile:

 

Yesterday's Blossoms

     have turned to brown.

I would have preferred them to keep

so that every flower

     might be glorious together.

But that is not the way.

And so, I treasure

     each

     in turn.

 

May the Spirit of God in me reflect the beauty and wisdom of this day!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

 

Until I did a bit of research on the title of this blog, I only knew it as a line from an English nursery rhyme. I had no real idea of its history, but it is interesting if you are curious. I only intended to write something about the pleasure I get from our small community garden!

One theory is that the bells represent the Sanctus bells at Eucharist. Another is that the cockleshells are the badges of the pilgrims to the shrine of St. James in Spain. A third is that the bells referred to Mary, the first, of England who could not bear children. Wikipedia can provide more info if you are curious.

Our garden is rather small and enclosed by a wire fence that keeps the deer from eating whatever each prefers. We have tomato plants, basil for making pesto, cucumbers to turn in pickles and the inevitable weeds. Best of all, it gets me outside during the day and evening!

"Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary"

Mary, Mary quite contrary

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockleshells

And pretty maids all in a row.  

“

Having Faith in an Assumption

         We are counseled not to make assumptions about people. How is it then that one of the solemnities of the church goes by that very name, and is in itself an assumption?

        In 1946 Pope Pius XII gathered petitions received in the preceding 100 years about the Assumption of Mary, and then surveyed the bishops:

Do you, in your outstanding wisdom and prudence, judge that the bodily assumption of 
[Mary] can be proposed and defined as a dogma of faith? Do you, with your clergy and 
people, desire it?

It took until 1950 for the Assumption to be declared and defined as dogma. I was surprised to read that the pope had consulted so widely. A common practice in community life, but in the church in the 40’s and 50’s? Perhaps I am revealing my ignorance of hierarchical procedures.

The roots of the feast can be traced to the faith of the eastern church in Jerusalem. The feast was called the Dormition, or the falling asleep of Mary. Although there were no witnesses, no scriptural record, the Assumption became a commonly accepted belief. Within the biblical tradition, holy and unique individuals (like Elijah and Enoch) were taken bodily to heaven. Making this assumption about Mary has precedent in the church’s tradition.

        Germanus of Constantinople, reflecting the faith of the eastern church of the 7th-8th centuries, addresses Mary directly:

        Since you are the Mother of God, it was appropriate that you accept a death that was like sleep, undergo a translation like an awakening. It is fitting that you should be restored to the companionship of your Son.

        And in the 21st century, Pope John Paul II quoted the gospel of John as a scriptural basis for understanding the dogma of the Assumption:

        
        If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself, that where I am, you may be there also.

Sr. Christa Kreinbrink, OSB

 

A Seat of Solace

 

    Recently the old rocking chair in my room with a wayward spring was replaced by a new rocker. As I looked at different styles I thought about the wooden rocker at my parent’s house, the glider in the community room, even the rocking chairs while waiting to get into Cracker Barrell. I thought about replacing the old rocker with a different type of chair but came back again and again to the wooden legs and rhythm of rocking back and forth.

     Rocking chairs have long been a refuge in my life through different homes and circumstances. The soothing rhythm slows my breathing and grounds me.  Rocking chairs remind me of conversations in the living rooms of friends or talking on porches into the twilight hours. Rockers provided seats of healing following surgery or recovery from illness.
            

Since I’ve been working from home due to the pandemic I often pray in the morning from my rocker, a hot cup of coffee close at hand.  It is where I bring to God my gratitude, my searching and all which plays and sometimes weighs heavy upon my heart.  My prayer recently is messy and often bears petitions and questions which are not quickly resolved. Even in the mess, I rock and I’m soothed, my trust reinforced that God is there listening and at work in ways I cannot yet imagine.
      
        We each need a space to go where we can find solace and grounding. That space often comes to represent something much bigger and broader than the physical space we dwell.  It is where we meet God, ourselves and come to attempt to make sense of the wild, wonderful and often perplexing world in which we live. It is also a space where we connect with others through laughter, stories, and musings that weave into the conversation of friends.  I am grateful for the many rocking chairs through the years which have provided solace and connection to others. I encourage you take a moment to visit or appreciate the seats of solace you find in your life which bring you grounding and connection.  Blessings!

                    Sr. Kimberly Porter, OSB

A model for tribute, prayer and process

     

I attended a funeral recently that was introduced with a tribute written by one of the daughters of a man who was 93. He had recently suffered a major stroke.  She was inspired to write this as she sat with him one night. With her permission I share part of it.

I never saw my father dying

Instead I saw a family tirelessly

caring for a father they adored.

I never saw my father dying

Instead I saw respect and admiration

from friends whose lives he enriched.

. . . I never saw my father dying

Instead I saw Love.

Such a beautiful tribute! I have reflected on it often.  I love the content and the format resonated with me. It is a beautiful way to live with difficult situations, to process encounters of significance,  and to inspire prayer.  With  gratitude and humility, I offer a few  examples.

Connecting with the news

I do not see the pile of debris in the Florida building collapse.

Instead I see lives lost and dreams shattered.

I do not see the pile of debris in the Florida building collapse.

Instead I see the dedication and jeopardy of first responders and  generous citizens.

I do not see the pile of debris in the Florida building collapse.

Instead I see a mayor who cares and a country holding its breath.  . . .

Perhaps a remedy for negative judgement

I never saw her outburst of anger.

Instead I saw a frustrated, overworked, unsupported woman. 

I never saw her outburst of anger.

Instead I saw a woman doing her best to love her children.  . . .. .

Grateful for our natural world.

I do not see the brown ends of tree branches.

Instead I see Nature producing new life for those pesky little cicadas .

I do not see the brown ends of tree branches.

Instead I see relief from noise and freedom from discarded body parts.  . . .

May you likewise be inspired.

                Sr. Mary Rabe, OSB

The Blessings of Routine

 

    Sometimes I’m really grateful for routine. Special event, guests for dinner, change in schedule, a celebration, all so welcome at the time. Later I am happy to have done something different, and also glad it’s over.

    Travel carries with it an illusion of freedom. Freedom from normal responsibilities, the ability to do what you want when you want. Or so you think. But what will you do and when will you do it? How will you each show hospitality to the other’s preference?

It is a revelation to learn from yourself and others that vacationing calls for creating routines. It is a relief to do “what we usually do” at least part of the time. St. Benedict advises moderation. Is the key a balance of routine and “specials”?

            St. Aelred of Rievaulx gives practical advice on dealing with routine in his Rule for Recluses:

 

Make use of the psalms as long as you find them helpful.

When they begin to be burdensome, turn to reading;

            as soon as that wearies you, give yourself to prayer.

When you are tired of all these exercises, go to work.

Thus by a healthy alternation

            you will refresh your spirit and drive off weariness. 

How often have you heard from friends returning from work or fun trips, “It was great, and I’m glad to be back home.” Would that we each can find that healthy alternation, the usual patterns in our good life that root us, and the special occasions that refresh the spirit.

                Sr. Christa Kreinbrink, OSB

 

 

Habits

Have you ever thought about the role of habits or routine in your life? Some of us are more habitual than others, but I think everyone is to some extent. It could be as simple as how you comb your hair, use a phone, or feed the dog.

Habits can make life easier and more comfortable because they eliminate hundreds of minute decisions every day. On the other hand, habits can be detrimental. Author Samuel Beckett says “Habit is a great deadener.” I can see how at times this could be true because judgments and creativity aren’t often tapped when habit already has the plan laid out.

Habits or routine can also make us blind or deaf. If we are sure we know what is going to happen or what someone is going to say, we don’t expect anything other than what is already in our own head. As Jean Cocteau said, habits keep things covered and prevent us from seeing. In fact, they can lock us into routines that become semi-rules we expect for ourselves or others and prevent something new from ruffling our expectations.

These thoughts about habit are not exactly theological language, but God’s life-giving actions don’t follow the rules that we humans create for ourselves. In fact, God breaks rules a lot.  Have you ever noticed how many times the OT prophets did irrational things following God’s commands? One strange story has Jeremiah buying new underwear then burying it so it would rot. (Jer. 13:1-11) Then, in the New Testament, Jesus’ life was one unexpected action after another, beginning with a virgin as mother. Time after time he broke with the expectations of religious leaders and his own apostles. In the end he broke out of the box of a tomb. All of this was the surprising work of God.

These scripture stories tell us God’s ways are not ours, but we often unconsciously act as though the divine will and our will is the same. We forget or ignore the fact that the God of surprises is beyond our grasp. This situation should make us more attuned to not letting our habits get the upper hand in our daily lives. As St. Augustine said, “Habit, if not resisted, soon becomes necessity.”

Where does this meandering leave my thinking? I need to continue to give time to reflection about God’s value system and the way Jesus exemplified them; I need to pay more attention to the people around me and how God loves them; when I pray, even for the end of horrible things, I need to remember that God has shown us many times if we pay attention, that good can emerge from evil. The crucifix is our perpetual reminder of this.--Sr. Colleen Winston, OSB