New Norcia for Easter

The community, as per our long-standing 5 year tradition, spent Good Friday afternoon to Easter Sunday with the monks of New Norcia.
As usual, the liturgy was rich, deep and silent, the hospitality brilliant, and time together as an extended community family, invaluable.

I have no time….
In Benedictine monasteries, and those following the rule, one thing is immediately obvious – the importance and pre-eminence of prayer. In the Liturgy of the Hours (See link left) , the community and guests, visitors and locals, join together for prayer anywhere between 4 and 7 times a day. Meals, Work, and Personal times are planned around these – nothing will take the monk away from sharing in these times of prayer with his brothers or sisters (barring an emergency..).

What does this mean for a lay person ?
Firstly, time belongs to God. Hallow it. Use it wisely. Respect it.
Monks never seem to be in a hurry (But there is the duck – calm on top and paddling madly underneath!) In doing what needs to be done, we are generally on top of things.

Secondly, Life will happen and we need time to be in control.
Hallowing time, allowing ourselves to rest, plan, pray, clean and all the other human needs, will mean we can be responsive and open, using our time wisely in the service of each other.

Lastly, quite simply, perhaps I need to just be less busy –to do less.
In our YES culture, we commit before we know what we’re really doing, afraid of appearing lazy perhaps. We have no time to eat well, get to know our neighbours, love our kids and spouses, care for our garden and our physical, psychological and spiritual selves. The results I see around me are catastrophic because of the supposed time famine. Disintegrating families, communities and people.

And know I know, thanks to the monks, there is a better way.

Happy Easter