Our busyness comes to a sudden halt this week, as our summer retreat begins. Life will move off the clock. We will be steeped in silence, reflection, prayer and rest.
We will watch Sister Ruth’s bold and brilliant lilies dance in the early summer breeze, and listen to the bees as they hum amid the sacred bounty with joy. Continue Reading
In her 40’s, Jackie Walsh (far right) was happy. She had a great job as a business systems analyst, a comfortable home in Bloomington, Ill., and a new Ford Focus. She had lots of friends. And she belonged to an active and wonderful parish.
So why did she chuck it all to jump half-blind into the counter-cultural, misunderstood and little-known world of a Benedictine monastery? Because God called. Continue Reading
Parting the clouds like water, the sun shone brightly this morning for the first time in 2 days. As we gather now for our conference, it slips behind the clouds, dimming the diamonds in the grass. From the top of a nearby sapling, a cherry red cardinal calls out. No answer. He tries again. Below, our chipmunk continues her looting operation beneath the bird feeders, darting to her nest again and again, cheeks full. Continue Reading
By Prioress Sister Phyllis McMurray, OSB
Lord, impart to us the meaning of the words of Scripture and the light to understand it. St. Hilary of Poiters
We read in the gospels of occasions when Jesus withdrew from others in order to pray in solitude. One episode was when Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. When tempted by the devil to satisfy his hunger, Jesus replied, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” Continue Reading
This morning as I prepared to pray Morning Prayer with the Community I invited all the peoples of the world to gather to give glory and praise to God. Continue Reading
Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Is it a call to be immaculate, to be aware of God’s presence as we move through the day, through our life?
Perhaps it is a call to move in that direction. Continue Reading
This morning the sunrise was a blaze of beauty.
It brought to mind the prayer of the psalmist:
“At dawn I hold myself in readiness for You.” Continue Reading
Yesterday Sr. Margaret evoked such a wonderful image of Sisters leaving for their ministries after prayers every morning, nourished by praying Lauds together. It’s the perfect image of our lives together! Continue Reading
During Lauds (Morning Prayer) recently, we prayed the following verse from Psalm 67: “So shall your rule be known upon the earth. Your saving power among all the nations.” It made me think about the Kingdom of God and how Jesus said, “The kingdom is within you.” God’s life and love is in each of us! Continue Reading
This morning as I began my walk through the wooded area that leads down to the lake, I stood for a moment in awe and wonder. I thought, this moment is mine to enjoy. Then it dawned on me that it’s not mine, but ours: the Creator’s, and the woods’, and all that is in the woods. Continue Reading
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