The Journey to Peace
Eliminating Hatred, Violence, Racism...and Other Human Unkindness
“ You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
“ALMIGHTY God, who hast created man in thine own image; Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil, and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice among men and nations, to the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
“Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may heal every mind and heart……so that hatreds cease, suspicions disappear, the barriers which divide us crumble, leading us to live in peace and justice……through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Hospitality - The Path to Nonviolence
Prayer For Social Justice
ALMIGHTY God, who hast created man in thine own image; Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil, and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice among men and nations, to the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (1928 Book of Common Prayer)
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” Martin Luther King
“Hospitality is at the heart of Christianity. No one has ever been more radically welcoming than Jesus, who was always accused of associating with the wrong kind of people—people we wouldn’t want in our living rooms, or next to us worshiping.
“To become hospitable means finding ways to welcome the marginalized, forgotten, and misunderstood among us. Today, human kindness often seems under siege. In the midst of this, some of us are looking for ways to grow more hospitable. An examination of conscience that scorches away the excuses we grant ourselves is not just needed; our lives and our society may depend upon it.”
“Unless we find a way to open ourselves to others, we will grow even more isolated and frightened. If we do not find and practice ways of hospitality we will grow increasingly hostile. Hospitality is the answer to hostility. Jesus said to love your neighbor; hospitality is how.”
Radical Hospitality - Benedict’s Way of Love (Paraclete Press)
Hospitality - A Benedictine Perspective
Copy and Paste: https://youtu.be/N-KvIs92frs
Prayer in Time of Sickness and Mortality
A Prayer (1928 Book of Common Prayer )
O MOST mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Anxious Times: A Call and Response
(Bishop Scarlett, DHT)
Leader. Lord, you have given your peace to mankind. You have given the gift of the Holy Ghost to those who follow you, opening their lips with tongues of fire by your power. Open also our lips this day, and teach us how to pray.
People. Lord, govern our life, for you are the calm harbor for those who are storm-tossed, and you show us the way we should go. Renew a right spirit within us; establish our spirits by the strength of your Spirit.
Leader. Each day, may we be guided brightly by your Holy Spirit toward what is truly helpful for us, being empowered always to observe what you have commanded us to do.
People. Which leads us to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness, the salvation accomplished by Christ. Help us not to be led astray by the worries of the world.
Leader. Strengthen us, Lord, to desire instead the delight of your future blessings.
People. For you are forever and truly blessed and praised among your saints, world without end: Amen.
Leader. I lift up my eyes to the hills :but where shall I find help?
People. My help comes from the Lord :who has made heaven and earth.
Leader. He will not suffer your foot to.stumble :and He who watches over you will.not sleep.
People. Be sure he who has charge of Israel :will neither slumber nor sleep.
Leader. The Lord himself is your keeper :the Lord is your defence upon your right hand;
People. The sun shall not strike you by day :nor shall the moon by night.
Leader. The Lord will defend you from all evil :it is he who will guard your life.
People. The Lord will defend your going out and your coming in :from this time forth for evermore. Leader. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
People. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end:Amen.
Leader. Almighty and merciful God, in this time of great sickness, we run to you for comfort.
People. Deliver us from danger; give strength and skill to all those who tend to the sick; give success to the treatments used for their cure.
Leader. Grant that when we sense how frail and uncertain our life is, we may direct our hearts to that heavenly wisdom which leads to eternal life.
People. God of peace, you have taught us that in returning and resting in you we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence before you we will find true strength.
Leader. By the power of the Holy Spirit, lift us now to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God. Save us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties.
People. Grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of your love which is immortal, and which You have shown us through your Son, Jesus Christ,
All. Who, with you Father and the Holy Ghost, lives and reigns as God, world without end: Amen.
Pray Without Ceasing
Prayer without ceasing is necessary for all Christians
“Let no one think, my brother Christians, that it is the duty only of priests and monks to pray without ceasing, and not of laymen. No, no; it is the duty of all of us Christians to remain always in prayer.” - St Gregory Palamas -
“Prayer, originally, is not the work of man alone. Neither is it performed for his comfort or for the fulfillment of his needs or demands. The greatness of prayer lies in its being the work of spiritual beings in general. It is neither of this age, nor for this age. Thus, if we restrict prayer to the satisfaction of man’s needs and demands or to responding to his pleas in this life, it loses its essential greatness. Through hallowing the name of God, paying homage to him, thanking and honoring him with pure praise, man is transformed into a spiritual being. He thus joins the heavenly host in their transcendent ministry. Orthodox Prayer Life-The Interior Way, Matthew the Poor
“O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You.
Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me.
Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen” - St Anselm of Canterbury -
The Necessity of Prayer
“Apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15.5)
“Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Lk 22.40)
“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (Ps 50.15)
WEBSITES - PRAYER
Daily Prayer
https://thedht.org/prayer/
Cradle Of Prayer
https://cradleofprayer.org/
Anglican Book of Common Prayer http://commonprayer.org/
This Website provides access to prayer services appropriate to Anglican and other Christian traditions.
https://www.liturgy.io/?style=LINED&trans=KJV&psalt=DEF
Hospitality
We often come together – as friends, family or community - to share special occasions: national or religious holidays, birthdays, remembering loved ones, honoring those who have served our community or country. We experience “hospitality” in its best sense.
May we also strive to share the Benedictine spirit of hospitality….. beyond friends, associates, family……to strangers or those having a different opinion or perspective on life and living. Peace.
“Let everyone that comes be received as Christ"
“Hospitality” (Greek translation = “love of the stranger”)
“Radical Hospitality is at the heart of Christianity. No one has ever been more radically welcoming than Jesus, who was always accused of associating with the wrong kind of people…….Instead of seeking persons who will support the congregation, actively seek persons who need the support of the congregation…….. To become hospitable means finding ways to welcome the marginalized, forgotten, and misunderstood among us.” -Radical Hospitality -Benedict’s Way of Love-Paraclete Press
Jesus said: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
Leviticus 19:34 The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were a stranger in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
1 Peter 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
“ Even if you have only bread or water, with these you can still meet the dues of hospitality. Even if you do not have these, but simply make the stranger welcome and offer him a word of encouragement, you will not be failing in hospitality. Think of the widow mentioned in the Gospel by our Lord: with two mites she surpassed the generous gifts of the wealthy.
Theodoros, the Great Ascetic
“Lift up and stretch out your hands, not to heaven but to the poor; for if you stretch out your hands to the poor, you have reached the summit of heaven. But if you lift up your hands in prayer without sharing with the poor, it is worth nothing."
St John Chrysostom
“Hospitality…the greatest of virtues. It draws the grace of the Holy Spirit towards us. In every stranger’s face, I see Christ himself. Love giving hospitality, for it opens the gates of Paradise. Entertain strangers so that you won’t be a stranger to God.”
Elder Makris
Watchfulness
O Lord my God, let me lead my life in your presence.
Five Tenets of Benedictine Monasticism Fr Paul Shelley, OSB, Conception Abbey (Refer to website for entire writing) https://www.conceptionabbey.org/5-ways-live-like-monk-world/
1. Cultivate Silence.
2. Be Faithful to Daily Prayer.
3. Form Authentic Community.
4. Make time for Lectio Divina.
5. Practice Humility.
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Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.
St. Isaac of Syria
Pray with attention – so that we can have a true encounter with God
Pray with humility – because this type of prayer goes straight to God’s ear
Pray with affection and tears – with joy and thanksgiving, but also with true repentance and purity.
Pray with patience and ardor – to ‘deny oneself’ is courageously to persevere in prayer.
Pray from the depths of the heart – even if we pray using ‘the words of another’ they should be uttered as if they are our own... this is especially true of the Psalms.
Pray with faith and absolute trust in God – because He knows our life.
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The Church’s Liturgy and a life of personal prayer prepare us to live in God’s presence, to endure God’s presence, and to love God’s presence. We must make this preparation in this world, otherwise, in the world to come, there will be no more time for us to make the appropriate adjustment to that which “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man” (i Cor. 2:9). - Acquiring the Mind of Christ -
Trusting in God
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
“Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. O my soul, you have said to the Lord, "You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You." Psalm 16:1-2
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation: he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Psalm 91:1-2
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“If I stand still without moving on I am in danger of becoming static, of failing to grow, possibly even of fossilizing.”
“If I journey on without remaining still in my innermost being, I am in danger of becoming a wanderer, someone who is endlessly searching.
“If I do not continually stop and listen to the voice of God, I am in danger of listening only to my own self, and so failing to discern what he is asking of me.”
- Esther deWaal, Living With Contradiction
What Can I Do?
Behave Like a Christian
(Romans 12)
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Christian
“The Christian is the one who seeks to imitate Christ in thought, word and works, as far as he is able as a human being, believing correctly, and simply in the Holy Trinity.”
The Ladder of Divine Ascent John Climacus
Rule of Benedict - The Tools for Good Works (Chapter 4)
First of all, love the Lord God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt 22:37-39; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:27).
Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else.Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love.
Pray for your enemies out of love for Christ.If you have a dispute with someone, make peace before the sun goes down.
Do not repay one bad turn with another (1 Thess 5:15; 1 Pet 3:9). If people curse you, do not curse them back but bless them instead. Endure persecution for the sake of justice (Matt 5:10).
Guard your lips from harmful or deceptive speech.
You must relieve the lot of the poor, clothe the naked, visit the sick (Matt 25:36), and bury the dead. Go to help the troubled and console the sorrowing.
If you notice something good in yourself, give credit to God, not to yourself, but be certain that the evil you commit is always your own and yours to acknowledge.
Listen readily to holy reading, and devote yourself often to prayer. Every day with tears and sighs confess your past sins to God in prayer and change from these evil ways in the future.
Never lose hope in God’s mercy.
Prayer
“May the Lord Jesus Christ, who walks on wounded feet, walk with you to the end of the road.
May the Lord Jesus Christ, who serves with wounded hands, help you to serve each other.
May the Lord Jesus Christ, who loves with a wounded heart, be your Love forever.
Love God wherever you go,
And may you see the face of Jesus in everyone you meet. Amen.” -Bishop Timothy Matthews-
The Divine Office
From the earliest days of the Church there have existed two primary forms of liturgical Christian worship:
Divine Liturgy (Holy Communion)
“The Liturgy is meant to become our life, and the continual entry into the new life that is granted to us in Christ. The Church’s teachings are inseparable from the Liturgy, and all of her theological definitions that she proclaims (such as the Creed) are confirmed by and revealed through the Liturgy.” (Acquiring the Mind Of Christ - Bower)
Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours)
“Without perseverance no discipline, whether prayer, fasting or vigil, ever bears fruit. The end of your labor will be just the same as its beginning.” (St Isaac the Syrian, in “The Four Books”)
“Prayer is the center of the Christian life. It is union with God Himself. We believe that the Church’s primary responsibility is to teach people to pray, and that proficiency in prayer is the foundation of all ministry, mission and service to the community. Whether it be the Sunday Liturgy, the Daily Offices of Prayer, the ongoing conversation we are called to have with God, or the receptive silence we cultivate before Him, our parish life is defined by praying together and celebrating the life we have in Christ through that prayer.” https://www.stmatthewsnewport.com
Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours)
The customary times for saying the Divine Office are:
Lauds - Dawn/Sunrise
Prime - 6:00 A.M. (Start of the day)
Terce - 9:00 A.M. (Third Hour of the day)
Sext - 12:00 Noon (Sixth Hour of the Day
None - 3:00 P.M. (Ninth Hour of the day)
Vespers - Dusk/Sunset
Compline - Just prior to retiring for the day
One helpful habit to begin and end each day is to quietly pray the words of the Office Hymns for Prime (the start of the day) and Compline (just before retiring for the night), then close with a prayer (Collect).
Hymn - PRIME
Now that the daylight fills the sky, we lift our hearts to God on high, That he in all we do or say, would keep us safe from harm today. Would guard our hearts and tongues from strife; From anger's din would hide our life; From all ill sights would turn our eyes;
Would close our ears from vanities.Would keep our inmost conscience pure; Our souls from folly would secure; Would bid us check the pride of sense, with due and holy abstinence.
So we, when this new day is gone, and night in turn is drawing on, With conscience by the world unstained shall praise his Name for vict'ry gained.
All laud to God the Father be; All praise Eternal Son to thee; All glory as is ever meet, To God the Holy Paraclete. Amen.
The Collect
O Lord, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day; Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn - COMPLINE
To thee before the close of day, Creator of the world, we pray, That, with thy wonted favour, thou Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.
From all ill dreams defend our sight, From fears and terrors of the night, Withhold from us our Ghostly foe, That spot of sin we may not know.
O Father, that we ask be done, Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son, who with the Holy Ghost and thee, Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.
The Collect
Visit, we beseech thee, O Lord, this habitation, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy: let thy holy Angels dwell herein, to preserve us in peace; and let thy blessing be always upon us. Through Jesus Christ, thy son our Lord. Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Source: Prime & Compline (words and music) (jhttp://commonprayer.org/offices/hour_n.cfm
1928 Book of Common Prayer-Daily Offices
http://commonprayer.org
Divine Hours
https://www.liturgy.io/?style=LINED&trans=KJV&psalt=DEF
Liturgy.io Anglican Breviary
https://www.liturgy.io/anglican-breviary?hour=19&day=1&month=1&year=2021&minute=38&style=LINED&trans=KJV&psalt=DEF
Daily Examen
More than 400 years ago St. Ignatius Loyola encouraged prayer-filled mindfulness by proposing what has been called the Daily Examen. The Examen can be time of prayerful reflection on the events of your day (thoughts, words, actions) in the presence of God.....before you retire for the evening...... to discern his direction for you in daily life.
Take 15 minutes at the beginning end of every day for this time of quiet reflection and prayer. You will be blessed and your life enriched. Peace,
1. Find a quiet place and take time to “Be Still” - become aware of God’s presence.
2. Recall your day and thank God for anything for which you are especially grateful.
3. Name those actions and regrets for which you are sorry.
4. Ask God to forgive you. If you have hurt someone, resolve to reconcile ask forgiveness.
5. Thank God for the gift of your life. Ask for the grace to be more clearly aware of God’s presence and His will for you. Look toward tomorrow.
Lectio Divina
ACCEPTING THE EMBRACE of GOD
by Fr. Luke Dysinger, O.S.B.
THE PROCESS
(Note: PDF FORMAT -Complete Document) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c780836f4755a48eb0dbb89/t/5e1c8bdc12be5b2164ee54c9/1578929116375/Lectio-Dysinger.pdf
A VERY ANCIENT art, practiced at one time by all Christians, is the technique known as lectio divina - a slow, contemplative praying of the Scriptures which enables the Bible, the Word of God, to become a means of union with God. This ancient practice has been kept alive in the Christian monastic tradition, and is one of the precious treasures of Benedictine monastics and oblates. Together with the Liturgy and daily manual labor, time set aside in a special way for lectio divina enables us to discover in our daily life an underlying spiritual rhythm. Within this rhythm we discover an increasing ability to offer more of ourselves and our relationships to the Father, and to accept the embrace that God is continuously extending to us in the person of his Son Jesus Christ.
LECTIO - READING/LISTENING
THE ART of lectio divina begins with cultivating the ability to listen deeply, to hear “with the ear of our hearts” as St. Benedict encourages us in the Prologue to the Rule. When we read the Scriptures we should try to imitate the prophet Elijah. We should allow ourselves to become women and men who are able to listen for the still, small voice of God (I Kings 19:12); the “faint murmuring sound” which is God's word for us, God's voice touching our hearts. This gentle listening is an “atunement” to the presence of God in that special part of God's creation which is the Scriptures.
THE CRY of the prophets to ancient Israel was the joy-filled command to “Listen!” “Sh'ma Israel: Hear, O Israel!” In lectio divina we, too, heed that command and turn to the Scriptures, knowing that we must “hear” - listen - to the voice of God, which often speaks very softly. In order to hear someone speaking softly we must learn to be silent. We must learn to love silence. If we are constantly speaking or if we are surrounded with noise, we cannot hear gentle sounds. The practice of lectio divina, therefore, requires that we first quiet down in order to hear God's word to us. This is the first step of lectio divina, appropriately called lectio - reading.
THE READING or listening which is the first step in lectio divina is very different from the speed reading which modern Christians apply to newspapers, books and even to the Bible. Lectio is reverential listening; listening both in a spirit of silence and of awe. We are listening for the still, small voice of God that will speak to us personally - not loudly, but intimately. In lectio we read slowly, attentively, gently listening to hear a word or phrase that is God's word for us this day.
MEDITATIO - MEDITATION
ONCE WE have found a word or a passage in the Scriptures that speaks to us in a personal way, we must take it in and “ruminate” on it. The image of the ruminant animal quietly chewing its cud was used in antiquity as a symbol of the Christian pondering the Word of God. Christians have always seen a scriptural invitation to lectio divina in the example of the Virgin Mary “pondering in her heart” what she saw and heard of Christ (Luke 2:19). For us today these images are a reminder that we must take in the word - that is, memorize it - and while gently repeating it to ourselves, allow it to interact with our thoughts, our hopes, our memories, our desires. This is the second step or stage in lectio divina - meditatio. Through meditatio we allow God's word to become His word for us, a word that touches us and affects us at our deepest levels.
ORATIO - PRAYER
THE THIRD step in lectio divina is oratio - prayer: prayer understood both as dialogue with God, that is, as loving conversation with the One who has invited us into His embrace; and as consecration, prayer as the priestly offering to God of parts of ourselves that we have not previously believed God wants. In this consecration-prayer we allow the word that we have taken in and on which we are pondering to touch and change our deepest selves. Just as a priest consecrates the elements of bread and wine at the Eucharist, God invites us in lectio divina to hold up our most difficult and pain-filled experiences to Him, and to gently recite over them the healing word or phrase He has given us in our lectio and meditatio. In this oratio, this consecration-prayer, we allow our real selves to be touched and changed by the word of God.
CONTEMPLATIO - CONTEMPLATION
FINALLY, WE simply rest in the presence of the One who has used His word as a means of inviting us to accept His transforming embrace. No one who has ever been in love needs to be reminded that there are moments in loving relationships when words are unnecessary. It is the same in our relationship with God. Wordless, quiet rest in the presence of the One Who loves us has a name in the Christian tradition - contemplatio, contemplation. Once again we practice silence, letting go of our own words; this time simply enjoying the experience of being in the presence of God.
Pray for the Unborn
Personal Thankfulness
In 1941 a 16-year old single girl who was pregnant made the decision she would not be able to care and provide for her child when born, and insisted Social Services help her find a home for her child at birth. She interviewed a couple who had previously adopted several children, and agreed to the adoption of her baby (male) at birth.
Having now lived 8 decades on this good earth, I am forever thankful for her decision...I have been blessed to live as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, friend. So......I trust you will understand why I have rather strong personal feelings on this matter. Please.......Make a choice to give life to a child of God.
Child of God in the womb of your mother, I pray for you and your mother. God is present. You are not forgotten.
In prayer,
David Neff, OblSB - Saint John’s Abbey
The Sanctity Of Life
For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
- Psalm 139:13-16
Who Am I?
This parable in the Gospel of Luke challenges us to do some serious soul-searching about who we are: spiritually proud and self-righteous….or truly humble, reflecting the humility of Christ (Philippians 2:5-8) - and represents two radically different destinies in life. Take time to prayerfully reflect on this aspect of your daily life.
Luke 18:11-13
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself:
“God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.”
The tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying,
“God, be merciful to me a sinner!”
Matthew 6:5-8
And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Prayer
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
V. Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto thee.
V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
Humility
“Where there is no humility there is little virtue, for God only enters a soul in which humility makes room for Him.” - The Path of Humility -
“ It is not humility to insist on being someone that you are not. It is as much as saying that you know better than God who you are and who you ought to be. How do you expect to arrive at the end of your own journey if you take the road to another man's city? How do you expect to reach your own perfection by leading somebody else's life? His sanctity will never be yours; you must have the humility to work out your own salvation in a darkness where you are absolutely alone.” - Thomas Merton -
“A humble man is not afraid of failure. In fact, he is not afraid of anything, even himself, since perfect humility implies perfect confidence in the power of God.”
- Thomas Merton -
Luke 18:9-14
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I mifast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’
And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Philippians 2:8.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
"The soul of a humble man is like the sea: throw a stone into the sea--for a moment it will ruffle the surface a little, and then sink to the bottom. Thus do afflictions disappear down into the heart of the humble man, because the strength of the Lord is with him." - St. Silouan of Mount Athos
" These are the few ways we can practice humility:
To speak as little as possible of one's self.
To mind one's own business.
Not to want to manage other people's affairs.
To accept contradictions and correction cheerfully.
To pass over the mistakes of others.
To accept insults and injuries.
To accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked.
To be kind and gentle even under provocation.
Never to stand on one's dignity.
To choose always the hardest."
- Mother Theresa -
“ Lord Jesus, when you walked the earth,
Your humility obscured your Kingship.
Your meekness confused the arrogant,
Hindering them from grasping your purpose,
Your nobleness attending to the destitute.
Teach me to model after your eminence,
To subject my human nature to humility.
Grant me with a natural inclination
To never view myself greater than anyone.
Banish all lingering sparks of self-importance
That could elevate me greater than you.
Let my heart always imitate your humility.”
- Author Unknown –
A Life of Prayer
Psalm 146
My soul, give praise to the Lord; I will praise the Lord all my days, make music to my God while I live.
Put no trust in princes, In mortal men in whom there is no help. Take their breath, they return to clay and their plans that day come to nothing.
He is happy who is helped by Jacob’s God, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who alone made heaven and earth, the seas and all they contain.
It is he who keeps faith for ever, who is just to those who are oppressed.
It is he who gives bread to the hungry, the Lord, who sets prisoners free, the Lord who gives sight to the blind, who raises up those who are bowed down, the Lord, who protects the stranger and upholds the widow and orphan.
It is the Lord who loves the just but thwarts the path of the wicked. The Lord will reign for ever, Sion’s God, from age to age.
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1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray Without Ceasing.”
The Christian Life Is A Life Of Prayer
“Living the life of prayer by the Rule of the Church helps us to live in God’s story rather than in the story of the world. It helps us to experience time in terms of priorities of God rather than in terms of the urgencies of the world. Common Rule also forms us as a community.
Without a commitment to prayer, which includes a commitment to Bible reading, study and meditation, the life of the Christian tends to be conformed to the pattern of the world (cf. Romans 12:2).”
https://thedht.org/a-life-of-prayer
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“Prayer is the only bridge over the despondency of the world with its death, sins, and passions. It gives light to the mind, helping us to slowly see ourselves as we are, and God as He is. It enables us to overcome temptation and weaknesses. It has the potential to heal our spiritual infirmities.
Persistent and patient prayer is the answer to almost all the questions we have; this is so because it grants us God’s grace and peace. It also brings us to a saving knowledge of the true God, going above and beyond rational thought. It cannot be stated enough that it is essential to begin again today.
Prayer generates prayer. The Fathers tell us that prayer will teach us and be our guide if we are devoted to it. It is the quintessential practice for all Christians. If we say we love God, we pray; if we say that we love each other, we pray for each other. Our life of prayer fulfills the commandment on which hang all the Law and the Prophets: to love God and to love our neighbor.”
Acquiring the Mind of Christ (Archimandrite Sergius)
Ephesians 4:29-32
Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them. Do nothing that will sadden the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed against the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ.
The Benedictine Journey
“Prefer nothing to the love of Christ”
What is a Benedictine Oblate?
Oblates are Christian men or women, lay or ordained, married or single, who seek to integrate the spirit of Saint Benedict in daily life. After a time of preparation as a Novice Oblate, the candidate becomes an Oblate of St. Benedict, affiliates with a specific Benedictine monastic community, and commits to applying in daily life the characteristic monastic principles, following The Rule of St. Benedict,.... and by word and example being a witness of Christ to everyone: family, friends, neighbors, strangers.
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Oblates are encouraged to draw life from the following practices
Website: http://www.saintjohnsabbey.org/monastic-life/oblates/
The Divine Office - Liturgy of the Hours
Growing out of the desire to pray without ceasing and to have the love for God always flowing from our hearts, Benedictine oblates pray some form of the Divine Office (also known as the Liturgy of the Hours, or Opus Dei — "Work of God") when they visit a monastery, at their home, or in a Benedictine gathering with other people.
Divine Reading - Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina (Latin for divine reading) is a traditional Benedictine practice of scriptural reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation. It is intended to promote personal communion with God, knowledge of God's Word, and spiritual transformation. It does not treat Scripture as texts to be studied, but as the Living Word of God.
Observance of Silence
To be open to listening to the voice of God, to the people who are important to us, to those in need, to our own experiences, silence is essential. "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Retreats and Regional Oblate Meetings
Oblates are encouraged to make a retreat every year meet regularly in regional groups to pray together, discuss Benedictine themes, and share conversation.
Study of the Rule of Saint Benedict
Benedict's Rule of life is the surest guide to gain familiarity with Benedictine spirituality. The Rule provides a balanced path between the needs of the individual and community.
Communication with the Monks
Because personal relationships are at the heart of Benedictine life, Oblates are welcome to visit the monastery at any time to join the monks in prayer, meals, study, retreats, and a few laughs.
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Books on St. Benedict and The Rule
Baudoz, Jean-Francois, With Christ, The Gospel under the Guidance of Saint Benedict, Liturgical Press
Benson, Robert, A Good Life, Benedict’s Guide to Everyday Joy, Paraclete Press
Bonomo, Carol, Humble Pie, St. Benedict’s Ladder of Humility, Morehouse Publishing
Borkmann, Aquinata, Saint Benedict, Perspectives on the Rule, Liturgical Press
Casey, Michael, A Guide to Living in the Truth, Saint Benedict’s Teaching on Humility by Michael Casey. Liguori/Triumph Press
Chittister, Sister Joan, O.S.B., Wisdom Distilled From the Daily, Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today, Harper Publishing
Cummings, Charles, Monastic Practices, Cistercian publications
de Vogue, Adalbert, Reading Saint Benedict, Reflections on the Rule, Cistercian Publications
de Waal, Esther, A Life-Giving Way, A Commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict This book has a copy of the Rule and also a commentary.
de Waal, Esther, Seeking God, The Way of St. Benedict, Liturgical Press
de Waal, Esther, Living With Conflict, Liturgical Press
de Waal, Esther, The Baptismal Invitation of the Rule of St. Benedict, Liturgical Press
Derkse, Wil, A Blessed Life, Benedictine Guidelines for Those who Long for Good Days, Liturgical Press
Feiss, Hugh, Essential Monastic Wisdom, Harper Collins publications
Holdaway, Gervase O.S.B., editor, The Oblate Life, Liturgical Press
Jamison, Abbot Christopher, O.S.B., Finding Happiness, Monastic Steps for a Fulfilling Life, Liturgical Press
Pennington, M. Basil, OCSO, Listen With Your Heart, Spiritual Living With the Rule of Saint Benedict, Paraclete Press
Stewart, Columba, O.S.B., Prayer and Community, The Benedictine Tradition, Orbis Books
Tomaine, Jane, St. Benedict’s Toolbox, The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living, Morehouse Publications
McGinnis, Mark, The Wisdom of the Benedictine Elders: Thirty of America's Oldest Monks and Nuns Share Their Lives' Greatest Lessons.
Sr. Marie-Thomas Beil OSB, Study Guide for the Rule of St. Benedict for Oblates Abbey of St. Walburga, Virginia Dale, CO
Michael Casey OCSO- On the Road to Eternal Life: Study of Prologue of the Rule Liturgical Press
The Way
“God did not make hurry”
“The times are urgent. Let us slow down”
Be careful, my child, in all you do, well-disciplined in all your behavior. Do to no one what you would not want done to you. Give your bread to those who are hungry, and your clothes to those who are naked. Whatever you own in plenty, devote a proportion to almsgiving. Bless the Lord God in everything; beg him to guide your ways and bring your paths and purposes to their end. Tobit 4:14-15,16,19
Jesus said:
“Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Think of God’s mercy, my brothers, and worship him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modeled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do. Romans 12:1-2
The Way to the Father
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:1-6
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“Turn to the Lord with your whole heart and leave behind this wretched world. Then your soul shall find rest. For the kingdom of God is the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit. If you prepare within your heart a fitting dwelling place, Christ will come to you and console you.
His glory and beauty are within you, and he delights in dwelling there. The Lord frequently visits the heart of man. There he shares with man pleasant conversations; welcome consolation, abundant peace and a wonderful intimacy.
So come, faithful soul. Prepare your heart for your spouse to dwell within you. For he says: If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and we shall come to him and make our dwelling within him.
Make room for Christ. When you possess Christ you are a rich man, for he is sufficient for you. He himself, shall provide for you and faithfully administer all your cares. You will not have to place your hope in men. Put all your trust in God; let him be both your fear and your love. He will respond on your behalf and will do whatever is in your best interest.
You have here no lasting city. For wherever you find yourself, you will always be a pilgrim from another city. Until you are united intimately with Christ, you will never find your true rest.
Let your thoughts be with the Most High and direct your prayers continually to Christ. If you do not know how to contemplate the glory of heaven, take comfort in the passion of Christ, and dwell willingly in his sacred wounds. Endure with Christ, suffer for him, if you wish to reign with him.
Once you have entered completely into the depths of Jesus, and have a taste of his powerful love, then you will not care about your own convenience or inconvenience. Rather you will rejoice all the more in insults and injuries, for the love of Jesus makes a man scorn his own needs.”
Source: The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis