We are a people of the story.

"Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

BCP, Collect for Proper 28

Gracious God, whose words given to us through the story and word, continue to be heard.  We give thanks for the holy Scriptures that were written for our learning.  Gracious God help us to hear them, to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them.  Let your word and story continue to give us hope, inspire and ignite our knowledge of you and affirm our belief in the promise of everlasting life.  We pray this all with open hearts and a love beyond limits, which you have given us in you son Jesus Christ; who lives with you, and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

  During study this past week, I came upon the work of Sister Joan Chittister again.  She has written many books, but her most well known is Monasteries of the Heart.  She has since that publication created a web community that is truly amazing.  If you would like to check it out, follow this link;  https://www.monasteriesoftheheart.org/ .   The mission for this site is to share Benedictine spirituality with contemporary seekers.  

During the last week I have enjoyed thinking and praying about what is presented there as the main elements of living in the monastic tradition.  There are five of them; lectio, prayer, good work, community and study.  I will share more about each in a minute, but as I was reflecting on them the collect that I shared above came into my mind.  One of the many gifts of praying the lectionary year after year is that things really do begin to imprint on our hearts and minds.  Those words rise to greet us when we need them, or when we least expect them.  I love to play with the words of prayers as it helps me to express what they may be saying to me at this time.  Below the collect from the Book of Common Prayer is my own reflection on that collect. 

Joan Chittisters 5 practices provide a terrific structure for us as we strive to "hear, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest" God's message for us today. 

"Lectio; Scripture is often used for lectio, slow meditative reading, but lectio can be done with all God's texts-photos, art, nature, poetry, music, and experiences in your life."  

How would it change our experience of words, music or images if we allowed ourselves to stop, breath, and be with it for a minute?  What would we see?  What would we hear?  What might God be trying to tell us today?  

Is this a tree or a story?  You decide. 

"Prayer: Monastic prayer is steeped in the Psalms, scripture and silence.

 As  St. Benedict urged it should be brief." 

We can so often read familiar prayers and not even hear the words.  I like to take a phrase either familiar or new, and just walk with it.  One of my favorites as I walk in nature is, "Be still and know that I am God,"  Psalm 46:10.  Remember that prayer is not just our talking, but also listening.  

"Good Work; Work that blesses creation-is integral in Monastic life.  Monasteries of the heart asks it's member to focus it's good works in three areas; celebrate beauty, honor the word, and practice nonviolence.  "

So much of spiritual practice or discipline is to remind us that we are part of something greater.  That we are threads in a much bigger tapestry.  What work can we do today that blesses the creation?  What threads are we weaving today? 

"Community: Community is of the essence of Benedictine life.  In Monasteries of the Heart what is important is that we each be an extension of the gospel, of each other and of Benedictine spirituality." 

Each day that goes by, I am more and more convinced that we are created to live and move in community.  Those called to the monastic life live in community.  We are created to learn and grow with each other.  Somedays we are called to be God with skin on for someone in our midst.  Somedays we look up and someone else is that for us.  How can we live out the the good news in our lives today?  

"Study; Instruction on monastic spirituality and way of life is essential if members of Monasteries of the Heart are to carry forward and keep alive the ancient Benedictine tradition. "

One of the wonderful things about the episcopal tradition for me is that we are called to read and learn.  We are called to explore the many ways that God is made manifest in the world.  We are encouraged to learn and grow with those that have come before us, and those that walk among us now.  We are invited to write and reflect on the many ways our faith matters to us, how it allows us to make sense of the world.  We are a people of the story.  It is only when we study, explore and are curious that we come to know the living, moving, breathing God.  The story must be passed on, the story continues to be written.  

On this beautiful March morning, let us slow down and know that God is in our midst.  A closing blessing from Jan Richardson. 

"Among the pages of the psalms, 

may you know the presence 

of those who pray with you. 

So may you loiter,

so may you linger

in the places and practices 

where he Work makes a home. "