November 20, 2008

Learning the Art of Letting Go

The last several days the story of Job has been in my prayer and reflection.  We meet Job in the Old Testament as he rebounds from losing everything meaningful in his life – his family and possessions.  We encounter him in a very vulnerable state.  When all is lost he turns to God and, after a struggle, is blessed abundantly.  The last we know of Job he is praising the wonder of God who brought him from nothing to life.  At he heart of this story is Job’s struggle to let go of many meaningful parts of his life in order to receive from God a new life.  You might find in Job inspiration to address those changes in your life and to learn Trust in a gracious God who is with you. Continue Reading

November 16, 2008

Dialogue for Peace

By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB

“O God you are eternal life and everlasting peace by your essence,” prayed the seventy-some women and men who participated in the 3rd annual Muslim/Christian Women’s Dialogue, sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of Rock Island. The doors opened with flowing crowds coming from their study clubs, their Scripture groups, coming with their spouses, their daughters, their mothers and by themselves. They came until all chairs were filled and the room was electrified with greetings of, “It is so good to see you again!” “I don’t recall your name but you were at my table last year!” Continue Reading

November 6, 2008

God, the Creative Composer

musical notes

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to attend the Quad City Symphony concert. It was a bold concert, featuring the work of Peter Tchaikovsky. Listening to the many instruments blending together to create the whole work, I thought of God’s work creating each of us.

Like a creative composer, God entwines many movements to bring our lives to this very moment. It is a softness of the strings, the brazen brass, the deep tuba, the breeze of the woodwinds that bring a symphony to life. It is the soft, bold and deep experiences of our lives that lead to God. Continue Reading

October 27, 2008

Keeping the Sabbath

Honour the wisdom of dormancy. Know that when you aren’t doing something that is productive, you are giving your soul the time and space it needs to quietly take in the nutrients it requires to remain productive. Buy a rocking chair and sit in it regularly, not thinking, not praying, not talking to a friend, just sitting, your soul a fallow field that is quietly waiting. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI

This week my soul has been caught up in the whirlwind of “busyness,” with no time for the kind of quiet that is needed to seek God. Can you relate? Events have been out of my control. Projects have been piling up, while my calendar fills to overflowing. Even as a Monastic woman committed to a balanced life of prayer, community and ministry, I can find myself in a whirl with my priorities mixed up. Continue Reading

October 23, 2008

Benedictine Hospitality

Another key Benedictine value – and charism – is hospitality. (A charism is a gift from God to be shared with the world). We seek to offer warmth, tolerance and joy when welcoming others. We seek to welcome others as they are. We believe, as St. Benedict says, that All guests … are to be welcomed as Christ. RB: 53 For more reflections on Benedictine values, read our vocation newsletter, Steps, and visit our Benedictine Oblates blog!

October 19, 2008

In a Fog?

Fall scene overlooking the Mississippi River

This morning as I walked outside on the Monastery patio overlooking the lake before Vespers, I was in awe. The lake was still, hardly a stir, and the fog hugged close to the surface. It was breathtaking.

As I went upstairs to join the Sisters at Lauds (Morning Prayer), the sun began to lighten the darkness ever so subtly. By the time Eucharist began about an hour later, the sun was brilliant, the lake was calm and the fog was gone until another morning. The fall colors vibrated through the woods surrounding our Chapel. Clarity!

It seems to me the issues surrounding our discernment may be as the fog hovering over our inner self. Continue Reading

October 15, 2008

Embracing humor and fun in discernment

Benedictine Sisters play basketball at St. Mary Monastery in Rock Island, Ill.

I loved the closing talk at the Vocation Conference. It was about joy, laughter and humor: a somewhat odd but wholly welcome concept when talking about the serious task of discernment and vocation ministry.

I loved the talk because it validated my serious belief that we have to be light-hearted. I was seriously ill about 3 years ago and ever since my recovery I insist on humor and fun – as much as possible! – every day. (That’s me on the left, beating Sr. Claudia in a little one-on-one!) Life is way too short to be entirely serious. Read Ecclesiastes and remember life is a cycle with time for all emotions.

Discernment is a time for all emotions, too. Continue Reading