This has not been a week of Benedictine bliss. In fact, I’ve been a failure of the Rule, hardly praying, living in the same pajamas four days straight, feeling sorry for my sickly self, and in turn, caring for the little boy I passed that sickness onto. The good news is that Benedict would be okay with that (except maybe not the feeling sorry for myself part). For all of his sixth century intensity, he was a man of grace. Even before the Rule's first chapter he wants us to know that in all of … [Read more...]
Inefficiency and the Selfish Mama?
March 2, 2010 By 9 Comments
Since we’ve had a such an interesting discussion on hospitality over the past few days, my mind is still stuck there. This morning, thanks to my watermelon head (horray for antibiotics! it will end soon!), I’ve been awake since 4:30, reading Henri Nouwen’s book, Lifesigns. I’m really comforted by Nouwen’s description of the work done at L’Arche, a network of small homes for mentally and physically handicapped people, in which nonhandicapped assistants spend their days caring for, … [Read more...]
Let’s talk hospitality.
February 26, 2010 By 14 Comments
Friends, I know you’re out there. At least, I hope you’re out there. I was thinking today might be a good chance for us to get to know each other a bit since we’re just starting out together. Also, I’m really interested in your opinion. Hospitality has been a word on my mind a lot lately. As I’m reading up on the Benedictines, I’m learning that the most obvious distinction between them and other monastic orders, is their emphasis on hospitality as a way of life. Benedict is clear … [Read more...]
Vigils
February 25, 2010 By 8 Comments
"I will watch for you before dawn, that I may see your strength, O Lord." This is among today's prayers in The Benedictine Handbook, a prayer specifically for the Lenten season. And a prayer that's very "Benedictine," since the monks are always watching for God before dawn. Benedict set down his Rule for the monastic order in the 6th century, he called for a prayer time, ahhh, you know, halfway through their night of sleep (midnight, to be exact...the 6th century occurred before any studies on … [Read more...]
Post Mom’s Group Confession
February 24, 2010 By 1 Comment
I'm usually annoyed by people who confess their "sin of pride." I know that's a terrible thing to say, but I have rarely encountered what I felt was an earnest confession from someone dealing with pride. Maybe it's because I've been around angst-ridden college students for the past decade in a lot of large group Bible studies. So it seems to me that pride is the sin you admit to "struggling with" when you have to share your sins with a group. Here's why: You sound like you're doing so well at … [Read more...]
Lent and the Donkey
February 22, 2010 By 1 Comment
I'm an old lady about my dark chocolate. I eat the same kind every night at the same time. My husband has tried in the past few years to give me special dark chocolate treats, stopping by the chocolate boutique for a few three dollar pieces as a romantic surprise, in search of the most holy of the chocolate tastes. And every one of those chocolates I have savored, I promise. But, I'm being honest here, I can't get over Trader Joe's Organic Super Dark chocolate bars (the purple wrapper!). … [Read more...]
Follow Patheos
Family: