Something strange is happening – there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear...
Did you know what "Maundy" meant?
As I cruised around this afternoon I came across this definition:
The Holy Thursday liturgy, celebrated in the evening because Passover began at sundown, shows both the worth God ascribes to the humility of service, and the need for cleansing with water (a symbol of baptism) in the Mandatum, or washing in Jesus' washing the feet of His disciples, and in the priest's stripping and washing of the altar.
Cleansing, in fact, gave this day of Holy Week the name Maundy Thursday.
Deep within us all is the desire to be cleansed, to be washed and restored.
To be made new.
This is a major theme of the action on the cross - Jesus, as the saying goes, "Washes us whiter than snow" (Or as "white as the inside of a coconut" - but that's a long story...).
I need these three days to be cleansed, to be washed, to experience, through the power of liturgy, word and sacrament, the power of Jesus in the mystery of his death, and resurrection.
God Bless you.
Have you downloaded a Holy Week Background yet from the Jerusalem Communities?
Go on - You know you should!!
Today I celebrate passover twice:
Once with my children at school - as a teaching tool about the last supper, and a way into beginning the great three days.
And tonight with the community gathered, we celebrate a more detailed ritual, with our children, a lamb roast, and at least four glasses of wine...
The apparent failure of Jesus, this seeming end, brings me to my own failures, my own hurts, my own struggles, and to cry "Into your hands, I commit my spirit".
Faced with my own littleness, I see the littleness and longing in others.
I become the excluded one. The disenfranchised one. The outsider.
I see how much I don't belong.
After the cross, no longer is there in or out.
Merely our vocation to be fully human, through our littleness and weakness, with the whole world, living out of love for Christ.
The passion of Christ forces me to see humanity, the whole of creation, with new eyes.
When he was placed on the level of evil-doers, definitively excluded on pain of death, I was also there, watching from afar. Who was still thinking of the Kingdom on that day? He was erased from the list of the living:
"Not my will, but yours be done. Father, forgive them, they know not what they do. Why have you abandoned me?"
But another excluded person who still believed in it, gave the only word of consolation,"Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom". (Here)
Jerusalem Communities have some lovely screen backgrounds available for holy week
(One for each important day) here.
Holy week, culimnating in our Lord's passion, is a chance for me to experience my own littleness, my own weakness and powerlessness.
We desire to share the life of the poor, the little ones, to be with them as 'one of them', not first of all in order to help them out, but because Jesus was poor, because littleness is the condition to know Jesus (Here).
Pray for us.
Thanks to Bryan, Mark and Beth who helped add some links.
Heres an updated list! Please keep playing along.
Chris
Coming to the Quiet
Bryan Sherwood
ThPM
Alan Creech
Christianity Today The New Monasticism
Houston Catholic The New Lay Monasticism!
The New Lay Monasticism
Fides Quaerens Intellectum, Credo Ut Intellegam
Sant'Egidio
Elm Grove Community
Jerusalem Communities
The Grandchamps Community
Brothers and Sisters of Saint John.
Taize
Beatitudes Community
Until Translucent
Vineyard Central
the simple way
Abbey Way
the ashram (Communality)
Greensboro Abbey
Reba Place
Eleuthero
Community of Celebration
Community of Jesus
Northumbria
Lindisfarne
Steve Taylor
Brothers and Sisters of Charity
Lay Cistercians of Gethsemani Abbey
International Lay Cistercians
Missio Dei
InnerChange
Monkfish Abbey
www.mustardseedhouse.wordpress.com
Lets keep it rolling folks!!
If you read this blog regularly you might notice our slightly split personality.
On the one half, very monastic. valuing silence and liturgy, valuing times apart and a contemplative sense, as well as community life.
But there is another side, and it is not the dark side!
Our other side is being close to our suburban communities, our neighbours and, as they cross our path, the stranger.
Bringing Christ to them is the other half of our community life. By our sharing of their life, joys and struggles, and when the moment arrives, to discuss the Love of God, without pressure or fear.
The last post focused on the monastic tradition, new and old, and people who draw great riches from it.
I thought it may be good to also list some of the other ideas which have influenced us/me in gentle ways as we seek to be authentically Christ like.
The Jerusalem Communities live in inner city rental accomodation, work part time, and bring contmeplative space to the urban sprawl.
French Worker Priests (three links there!) were an awesome experiment which should have probably continued...
The communities inspired by Charles de Foucauld spend life with the poor and in contemplation. Their approach of spending an hour before the blessed sacrament, or an icon, is a key element of their spirituality. I have been beginning to pray this way for a while.
Hope you find all of this interesting!
In the diverse ways of life ... BEING WITH may become a simple presence, among people who surround us, commitment to the liberation of humanity and/or the proclamation of the Word of God.
Over at Prodigal Kiwis they're doing a link fest to emerging/ missional bloggers who may have shot under the radar. I thought it would be cool to do the same with the neo monastic communities groups and individuals, but also including some interesting links to articles etc.
To participate, copy this list into a new post on your own blog, and add the names you have to the bottom of the list, and encourage others to do the same.
When you’ve done that, leave a comment here so I can keep track of who ends up participating.
As you can see I am desperately out of the loop!
Chris
Coming to the Quiet
Bryan Sherwood
ThPM
Alan Creech
Christianity Today The New Monasticism
Houston Catholic The New Lay Monasticism!
The New Lay Monasticism
Fides Quaerens Intellectum, Credo Ut Intellegam
Favourite Monastic Sites
Community of Sant'Egidio
Elm Grove Community
Jerusalem Communities
The Grandchamps Community
Brothers and Sisters of Saint John.
Taize
Beatitudes Community
The Latin Theology likes to put everything in its proper place and keep it there. It touches nothing that it does not petrify. It is forever distinguishing, isolating, antagonizing what are really complementary. It must have things fixed and settled for good - - else it feels that all is confusion and uncertainty. It holds to Tradition - - which is the Inspiration of the past, handed on - - in such a way that it cannot recognize Inspiration in the present. Growth is alien to its spirit; every change seems a disturbance; every movement of new life an evil wrecking of a comfortable and settled balance, or an intrusion of a hostile force.
Gilbert Binyon in The Christian Socialist Movement in England
Me and the missus have been married ten years today!
You can check out her very un -up -to-date blog here.
I'll write about us over at afternoons soon.
No this is not the last one!
The Litugy Wars post has caused some to defend their position quite strongly so comments moderation is on.
It has all made me a little sad that Christians are getting stuck into each other over this stuff, which to my mind seems a lot less important than trying to follow Jesus...
More later as I am feeling abit down about alot today.
C
With the release of Pope Benedict's Apostolic Exhortation " Sacramentum Caritatis" (sacrament of charity) this week, the blog debate has been absolutely full on. I may be new to this, but the vitriol on both sides of the debate is incredible - especially in a church where we should be able to be truly "Catholic" and have reasoned discussion without constantly criticizing each other meaninglessly and questioning the "validity"of whatever rite, ritual or service we are discussing. And of course, I have probably just identified myself as a raving liberal (which I'm not) and half of the people I am about to link to, and/or discuss, will ignore me ( which is too bad really...)
The argument seems to go like this. Since Vatican II, Liturgy has fallen into a woeful state - mainly because of secular liberalism and other such nasties creeping into how priests and liturgists approach the liturgy. Everything has gone wrong - not enough silence ( I agree) , Bad Music (I am still agreeing), Clergy not sticking to the rite down to the letter of the law (Sometimes good, usually bland), Liturgical Dance (Never seen it done well, but heard about a ballerina who blew peoples minds as an after communion reflection), using glass eucharistic vessels (seem to be missing the point with this one...) - and so the list of supposed, and real, atrocities, continues.
The solution offered by many is simple. Back to the Tridentine rite. Only "Classical" music (especially chant). Use Latin more often (if not all the time). Celebrate the Eucharist with the Priests back facing the people. Its out with the "Community" approach to Liturgy and in with an older "God-ward one" (Personally I think we can have both). Punish those who don't think or do like we do, who ignore the rubrics of the rite, especially because obviously we are the holders of the truth...
True and ... Not true. I became a Catholic because of my experience with the New rite. Not the Tridentine. I have heard truly bad "classical " music at a mass which left me angry and shaken, and been lifted by a simple folk trio who performed with love, skill and reverence. I have yet to hear consistently good homilies anywhere. And I can't imagine trying to take a 5 and 7 year old to a Latin Mass...
So the truth continues to be that we can exist with a multitude of practices, but that all of us should be willing to try and improve our celebrations. And Sacramentum Caritatis gives good guidance in that respect.
I love what Amy Welborn wrote about it "There's a sense in which we are being asked to think about these things at a different level, to focus on the central doctrines, and most especially on the Person at the center of it all." So true - and necessary.
My main concern is how the two sides don't seem to able to communicate without really digging the knife in - not that I don't agree with some of what they say (on both sides), just how upset and angry they seem to get with each other, and then do a blanket exclusion of "Them and their kind"
Check out some of these and let me know what you think.
http://amywelborn.typepad.com/openbook/
http://closedcafeteria.blogspot.com/2007/03/fr-rohrs-approximation-of-mass-at-re.html
http://paramedicgoldengirl.blogspot.com/2007/03/from-mail-mahony-conference.html
http://marymagdalen.blogspot.com/2007/03/emphasis-on-personality.html
Mike Done, legendery local music artist (he once sang with Chris De Burgh!) is running three websites at the moment
Michael Done's Extremely Creatively Named Blog
"Snoggie the Snail & Jesus" - A Slow Moving Story
and
"The Five Dangerous Graces"
Especially check out this last one for Mikes spiritual journey.
Thanks for sharing Mike!
Two great thing at Mass today (I finally made it - with three kids!)
Firstly, Father preached probably the best homliyI have ever heard him give . He compared the Old Testament reading about Moses and the burning bush with the gifts of Scripture and the Eucharist. All three of them keep giving without being depleted, and they increase our faith by realizing we are standing on holy ground when we encounter them.
Secondly, the powerpoint was used VERY effectively to lead the faithful in a self-examination after the homily. It used images and phrases from the readings to stimulate our reflection.
Glad I went.
The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us,
and we see nothing but sand;
the angels come to visit us,
and we only know them when they are gone.
George Eliot
(Hat tip Maggie)
All busy here.
Using a terrifc Lenten resource called "Everyday with Jesus" - but don't think of Selwyn Hughes. It is a lovely, prayerful, well prepared study of the Lenten Sunday Scriptures.
You can look at it here.
Check out Chris' site for his thinking on ritual, rite anglocatholisicm and other thriling stuff!
Ash Wednesday had three very different impacts this year:
Tagged by Alan, here's a little more about me (and us!)
A - Available or Married? Married.
B - Best Moment? Probably becoming a Catholic, but in another sense releasing my first CD was immensely satisfying.
C - Cake or Pie? Pie. Blueberry. With Ice Cream.
D - Drink of choice? Usually G and T (How Anglican!) Or beer on a hot day. Red Wine anytime. If no alcohol - I am rather fond of a Citron Presse. Coffee 24/7.
E - Essential Item? Music. Definitely. Paul Weller or The Church.
F - Favorite Colour? Blue. Or Red. With Stripes.
G - Gummi Bears or Worms? What? BBQ Chips thanks.
H - Hometown? Melbourne, Victoria. But I've lived in Perth for the last 25 years.
I - Indulgence? Books. And wine.
J - January or February? January for sure. School in back in Feb and that means work.
K - Kids & Names? 2: Eliza Rose Nicolette and Noah Willem.
L - Life is incomplete without? Community. And sold chunks of hanging out time.
M - Marriage Date? March 22nd, 1997.
N - Number of Siblings? One. Phil..
O - Oranges or apples? Apples. But must be COLD and CRISP.
P - Phobias/Fears: Heights. Failure. Success.
Q - Favorite Quotation?
I sat here thinking of a good one to write. I thought Of Nouwen, De Mello, Merton, Griffiths -who I all love, but all that felt right was a song lyric:
"The past is knowledge, the present our mistake
- and the future we always leave too late.
I wish we'd come to our senses
and see there is no truth
in those who promote the confusion
for this ever changing mood"
Paul Weller, My Ever Changing Moods.
R - Reason to Smile? Watching my kids play. Seeing our extended community gathered. Realizing how lucky I truly am. Playing music.
S - Season? Spring. I'd like to try it in Paris actually.
T - Tag three people! Phil, Shelle, Matt J.
U - Unknown fact about me: I am a MASSSIVE Dr Who fan. Love it. Live it.
V - Vegetable you hate? Brussel Sprouts. Just can;t do it -even with Garlic, Cream and Bacon.
W - Worst habit? Stewing about things and then letting off steam by being difficult or exploding. Not very helpful or mature.
Y - Your favorite food? Curry. Not TOO hot but enough spice to really get you going. With Rice and poppadoms.
Z - Zodiac? Cancer,but that's a disease and lets not bring the tone of this down any further...
On a day where I feel slightly better than I have in a while, I did this for a laugh.
If you LINK to us, have a go too.
Oh the bizarre Wisdom!!!
Instructions: Go to your music player of choice and put it on shuffle. Say the following questions aloud, and press play.Use the song title as the answer to the questions. NO CHEATING.
How does the world see you?
Blessed Be Your Name (Newsboys)
See - I knew I was feeling better ...
Will I have a happy life?
Conversation. Joni Mitchell.
Yep. Love a good natter.
What do my friends really think of me?
She will have her way (Neil Finn).
So finally the Cross dressing secret is out ...
What do people secretly think of me?
If I Like it I do it (Jamiroqui)
OK. Enough of the cross dressing theme ... !
How can I be happy?
Hooked up. (Jamiroqui).
Don't quite get this. More conversations? Drugs? Heart By Pass ?
What should I do with my life?
Utterly Simple (Traffic).
Great song. Great Band. Great Advice.
What is some good advice for me?
Idiot Wind. (Bob Dylan)
OK. Bob. Thanks.
How will I be remembered?
Get Yourself together (The Small Faces)
Sounds fair given the last month...
!What is my signature dancing song?
Already Yesterday (The Church)
Cool. Not dancing song. Like me.
What do I think my current theme song is?
You're a big Girl (Bob Dylan)
Bob - You're not quite getting it here. I need some help. Am I a big girl? Probably.
What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
Only talking sense. (Finn Brothers)
Good choice - if I could understand it...
What song will play at my funeral?
Rainy Night House (Joni Mitchell)
Rain. Night. Funeral. Nice dark theme.
What type of men/women do you like?
Coloured Rain (Traffic)
I like you all!!!!
What is my day going to be like?
All Mod Cons (The Jam)
Nice to finish with Paul Weller. A Mod day would be fab.
Bless ya
C
Purity of Heart
Solitude, poverty, obedience, silence ad prayer dispose the soul for (its) destiny in God. Asceticism itself does not produce Divine union. It only disposes the soul for union, The carious practices of monastic asceticism are more or less valuable to the monk in proportion as they help him to accomplish the inner and spiritual work that needs to be done to make his soul poor, and humble and empty, in the mystery of the presence of God. When ascetic practices are misused, they serve only to fill the monk with himself and to harden his heart is resistance to grace. That is why all monastic asceticism centers in the two great virtues of humility and obedience which cannot be practiced as they ought to be practiced, if they do not empty a man of himself.
A series of quotes (and possibly reflections) as we pursue this text.
From the Prologue:
The monk is one who leaves behind the fictions and illusions of a merely human spirituality in order to plunge himself into the faith of Christ. Faith is the light which seizes upon the inner depths of his soul na delivers him up to the action of the Spirit, the Spirit of liberty, the Spirit of Love. Faith takes him, as the power of God took the ancient prophets, and "Stands him on his feet (Ezch. 2:2) befor the Lord. The monastic life is a life in the Spirit of Christ, a life in which the Christian gives themselves entirely to the love of God which transforms him in the light of Christ.
Have updated some of the books and CD's we've been listening to lately -
right hand side, just scroll down..
And yes, now some of them are finally done!
Peter Waller, artist and sculptor extra-ordinary, is staying with us a few days. Pete was a member of the community last couple of years,while he was studying Fine Arts at Curtin University. Last year he moved to Tasmania (sob sob!) to do honours, and now, post graduate work in scultpture, using the university's excellent wood working studios.
Pete is in WA for his first solo Exhibition at Gallery East. Click on the link and check out his beautiful work, and the lovely 15th Century Zen prints which and being co - exhibited.
Pete is also reading Thomas Mertons "Mystics and Zen Masters"
Anyone had a read? It looks amazing!!!
Lets put together a compendium of advice we've been given that REALLY helped us grow.Email me or comment and I'll put it up.
Chris:
I'd like to say it was "Shut up!" but in fact it was from a Benedictine monk and was "You must attend to all the dimensions of your life - physical, emotional, spiritual, sexual, psychological, relational - if any of these are out of balance, then its tough going".
This stopped me worrying about alot of things, taught me to take one thing at a time, and look at myself with honesty.
Thining about the year again, here's some of the promises we made as a community 18 months ago. Worth remonding ourselves of these again...
(If you want to read the original post it is here)
Although we have been meeting together for the last 7 years - can you believe it? - last night we celebrated our First anniversary as the Transfiguration Community. To mark this occasion, we made promises, not vows, to support our community life. Here is what we promised:
We will honor:T
he light of our Benedictine Heritage.
May we always value silence, stillness and prayer
The light of Hospitality.
May we always nourish one another.
The light of Relationship.
May we always remember to value one another, married or Single.
The light of compassion.
May we always be generous in our care for one another.
The light of work.
May we always value each others occupations and activities.
The light of our children.
May we always see them as gifts from God.
The light of faithfulness
May we continue to be faithful to our community life.
The light of honesty
May we continue to share with humor and truthfulness.
The light of Openness.
May we always be open to the work of the Spirit within us.
The light of newness
May our minds not be closed to the adventure of faith.
Right folks. January seems a good time for this sort of reflection as we ponder the year ahead as individuals and as a community...
No one is a Christian in isolation. We are all instructed in the way of Christ in someway. For some, it is a personal contact, for others it is growing up in a family of faith where many points of contacts are made. Others may pick up a book which changes their life and want to find more, or an Internet page, or radio broadcast or an mp3 or in fact anything where we dialogue with someones experience in some way and allow it to speak. whatever the medium, somehow we here the message of Gods love from another and it changes us. And we keep on this road until we take our final breath...
This is all wonderful and appropriate and absolutely necessary (as we all know). And a Christian community like ours, where questions are the bread and butter of our life together, are essential. But there is a danger, and it worries me from time to time when i come across certain web pages, or articles, or books. It is the matter of Adoration. Let me explain. It is way to easy too read about the "Giants " of the faith (whatever that means to us - whether it be Augustine, Frances de Sales, Merton or John Paul 2, our minister or priest, or even another Christian...) and think to ourselves "They did x, y and z and that led them to holiness. by copying them i will too...".
Now imitation is the most sincere more of flattery, and of great use as we start our journey, but at some point we have to say "I am me. This is my way. God is with me. So be it" and use the skills and lessons we have learnt from others. Now, please don't get me wrong, I am not against the church setting up guidelines which point out what is helpful - eg the Eucharist, Reading the Bible, the Liturgical year - but all of these things need to take place within the context of our own slow and steady "working out our salvation in fear the trembling". None of this is an excuse to not do our homework theologically speaking. All of our thinking needss to be a balance of head and heart, with a good pinch of risk taking!
I suppose I am thinking about this year ahead as a community. We need not be anything other than we are, and part of that is a discovery! We have a wonderful set of ecumenical menotrs to guide and love us. We need to see what is us, and what isn't, who we are, and above all, pray and trust, and move forward.
Lets Dialogue.
Heres a few interesting Sites checked out lately
Louis Louis Exploring contemplative awareness in daily life, drawing from and with much discussion of the writings of Thomas Merton, aka "Father Louie".
CathNews Catholic Headlines from around the world. A wonderful Australian site.
JC Girls This is a little bizzare, but worth a look. Three women from California created JC's Girls as an outreach to the adult entertainment industry. Being mistaken for porn stars is actually part of their strategy...
Hope ya all well
To Dance with God
Gertrud Mueller Nelson
Have being flipping through this book, and using its incredible wisdom, for years.
Let us all rejoice in the Lord
for our saviour is born
to the world
true peace
has descended
from heaven
Antiphon for midnight mass
Merry Christmas Everyone.
Love
us
Antony asked us to tag ourselves and play this game.
He gave us the letter and we fill in the blanks.
I actually found this quite hard…
I tried to do the first 10 things that came into my mind:
Time. Love it. Need it. Use it. Never seem to have enough of it to do the things I want. I am trying desperately these days to hallow time with prayer – Liturgy of the hours, meditation, writing, but the trap of being a sort of creative, in-the-moment, sort of fellow is that time slips away quickly when the inspiration strikes.
Tradition: It would be all too easy to just think of this in terms of Church Tradition, although I love that. I adore the idea of praying in ancient words, of celebrating vigils and rituals which Christians have observed for centuries (and I don’t find anything tired in rites or rituals…). I also love more folk traditions: Christmas trees, wreaths, St Nicholas Day biscuits, marking the date of Epiphany with chalk, family holidays, the whole shebang.
Talk. Nothing I like more than a good natter (although Coralie would call it a gossip…!)
Transfiguration Community: You Knew this was coming! I love this motley crew of travellers. We meet, we eat and drink, we pray, we love one another. We bring our experiences, our day, our selves, and healing and holiness is begun. A Privilege.
Test Cricket. I grow in appreciation of this game every summer. Strategy, courage, grit, luck, tactics. Up to five days of magic. And this year Australia won the ashes (Yesterday!) which is the equivalent of the world cup – but only Australia and England can play.
“The” Bands: I tried really hard to avoid any “The” ‘s but at least its at number 6. The Beatles, The Jam, The Style Council, The Church, The Small Faces, The Police, The Who, The Byrds, The Smiths – all some of my favourite bands. Just looking at that list tells me fair bit about myself. I like OLD music and my tastes are a fairly wide …
Thomas Merton: The patron saint of the emerging church movement, given many recent blogsphere posts in his memory. I love Tom’s work – some of the more edgy stuff especially, like his oriental interests (Te Ching???), his letters, outlines for monasteries and hermitages, and especially his notebook he kept when he visited Our Lady of The Redwood monastery. Merton also stands for a whole lot of monastic authors I love like Jean Le Clerq, Ester De Waal, Abhishiktananda, Bede Griffiths, Lawrence Freeman and so the list goes on. Helpful, heavy and hopeful.
Tea. Now hear me, I am a coffee drinker. Plunger in the morning, maccihato when I am out, espresso after a large dinner. But in true thirty something fashion, I am rediscovering the things of my youth – and tea is one of them. It took me to read an interview with the current heir to the Twinnings family about matching tea with food to get me started. He suggested having a large plate of bacon and eggs on thick toast with a cup of their English Breakfast, made to the specific instructions. Being a good little camper, I did as I was told and I was hooked.
Tonsils: I don’t have any, neither does my little boy. He breaths a lot easier at night (less like a freight train) and so do we…
Travel: I’ve only made some tentative steps with this activity, but I love it. I have travelled around a lot of Australia and to New Zealand and some other places. I can’t wait to take the family and explore the world together. Maybe I’ll come and visit some of you!
and to help you on your journey, a few helpful links
Andrew Dowsett has been keeping a lovely reflective journey to advent
Ron Rohlheiser writes brilliantly Christmas, Myth, Naivety and Faith
Pray as You go keep on offering great stuff
Blessings
Chris
Our friend Bryan was playing this today….
Thought we’d have a go!
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Australia. HOT at Christmas. Maybe Hot Chocolate if its cool (like, when would that be…) .
More likely cold beer, cold wine, cold chocolate milk.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Wrapped. But that doesn’t stop them being shaken, felt and explored…
3. Coloured lights on tree/house or white?
Lights on tree thanks. House too much trouble actually…
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No.
5. When do you put your decorations up?
First of December. Kids and Coralie put them up. I “supervise” and stalk the corridors feeling stressed!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
BBQ seafood. Cooked outside. With a Nice Semillon.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Mum and Dad went to midnight mass. When they came home, far from being asleep, y brother and I had snuck out of room, opened allof the presents, and as a masterstroke, had convinced grandma that this was what was supposed to happen!
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
There’s NO Santa? Or is there more about him I don’t know yet?????
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Only one, after Mass and a glass of Frozen Butterscotch Schnapps.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
Lots of home and school made decorations, with other stuff we have. Its fun.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Its 36°C here – snow would be fab!!
12. Can you ice skate?
Yep. Inside only.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
My parents relieving a rather large debt I owed them.
14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Rejocing in Gods goodness. Family. Friends. Slowing down.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Frozen “lollies and chocolate Christmas pudding”!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Midnight mass. Singing Carols. By Candlelight. Incense. Magic. Mystery
17. What tops your tree?
A Star.
18.Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?
I LOVE being given gifts,but watching other recive and appreciate yours is a special magic...
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Once in Royal Davids City OR O Come O Come Emmanuel Bring me to tears actually…
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
I give ‘em out. I don’t eat ‘em!
Play along fans!!!
Still here.
Still praying together.
Still eating together.
Still caring for one another.
Loving each other.
Sharing life.
Tonight is a chance for all of us to celebrate the joy of Christmas and share gifts with the children. It is a fitting end to a long year (as those of you who read my stream of consciousness poetry blog will know!). Over the remaining time of Advent, we will meet in various combinations and forms, celebrating the mysteries of this time of year.
Bless you all.
Chris
A time to
Delve deeper into
the loVe of God-
Emmanuel-
Not spending
Too much money
(From Iona)
Wednesday night's session was a continuation of Monday's talk on healing and wholeness. Richard spent the first session recapping his theme, and giving us a little more detail. After a period of silence and a coffee break, he returned to an hour of questions. This was by far the most interesting part of the evening (apart from the people who really didn't ask a question but seemed to only want to make statements and have Richard agree with them...)
He addressed topics of Hell, Letting Go, Ecumenism across Religions, Feminism and God, the Healing process, and a few other issues I have now forgotten!
And we sang that awful song again, and Matt, Coralie and I got the giggles watching the 70 and 80 years old sway to the music....
Here's what I noted down from last night:
Bless you all
Chris
Six of us, four community members, good mate PT and Minister (to some of us officially, some un officially...) Malcolm, went to the first of franciscan Richard Rohr's evening lectures on wholeness and healing.
It was a topic I had heard him speak on before, but it was great to see and hear the man "In the flesh" as it were. He speaks effortlessly and engagingly, easily incorporating quotes and examples from patristic, biblical and theological sources. One of the things I love about Richard's teaching is the way he weaves these sources together to help you understand what he is discussing in the physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions, of our beings.
Some of what I remember he discussed was:
But he may not have meant anything of this - it is just what touched me last night.
A great night all up. It ended with all the crowd standing together, holding hands and singing Leonard Cohens Hallelujah, which I have to say was a little bizarre....
More after Wednesday nights lecture.
In my darker moments I sometimes wonder what brings us together.
We come from such different backgrounds, spiritualities, lifestages, educations etc.
Michelle maintians that this what binds us - the sense of belonging inspite of our differences - it becomes a true exercise in ecumenism and communion.
Here's some of the different expressions of faith that we have been involved in over the years:
Liturgy of the Hours Taize Everyday With Jesus Tea Ceremony Anglican Catholic Quaker Pray as you Go Benedictine Flame Contemplative Evangelical GFS
Not a bad staring list actually ...
Last night I took the kids to their first swimming lessons. To cut a very long story short - one is a very confident swimmer and the other one thinks that water is of the devil. And I don't say that lightly!
The experience of course brought up all of the concerns, issues and worries that all parents have when something doesn't go right - I am a bad parent, what could have I done differently, and the killer - what will these other parents think of me?
All of this got me to thinking about protecting my kids, and comparing it to the monastic physical and spiritual concept of enclosure. In a monastery the enclosure is the physical space which is off limits to guests. Only the community may go there. It often over looks a courtyard and provides a safe, peaceful and beautiful place to live the majority of your life.
I believe monastics also live in the spirit of enclosure.
Guarding and keeping a safe place within as well as without.
Having a safe place within yourself you are able to return.
Knowing your limits and when to say enough.
I suppose as a parent, part of role is to provide a sense of enclosure in the home.
But, as witnessed by the swimming yesterday, helping my children to leave their own personal enclosure and take a risk is also a skill I can teach them.
I am still struggling with my own sense of enclosure - finding that safe place within me, but that spurs me on to teach my children, once again, what the monks taught me!
A few months ago some of the websites we frequent ran a "Take and share a picture of your bookshelf" blog idea.
I thought it might be nice to share some of the communities sacred spaces in a smiliar vein (so watch out for my camera community members!).
Here's the Kan families space in their living room:
A Taize Cross Icon,
Russian Icon of two Gospel writing saints,
A seasonal candle from Jamberoo abbey,
A nice colourful candle holder,
and on the top left,
copies of the Glenstal Book of Prayer
and our community compline order.
We'll add other communities sacred spaces and places soon, but for now we would like Antony Bryan And Phil to maybe share their spaces too. What do you think Gentleman?!
Lovely little English Benedictine Community of young people.
Georgeously simple webpages with lots of interesting stuff happening.
Well worth your time!
http://www.elmgrovecommunity.co.uk/
Shhh ... but we've had a few emails about this.
True to the original concept, this site is for the Transfiguration Community and their friends to share news, views, opinions and events. We generally update once or twice weekly, more often if we do something special
Chris is writing daily columns over at his site I was Made for afternoons.
He felt this is a better vechicle for his ecclesial wanderings and gave him more scope to be, well, ... interesting! (You could read heretical here if you like...)
Of course we want you to visit both sites and enjoy the conversations!
With love
All the Transfiguers
Last night we had dinner at Michelle's place we celebrated Linda's birthday and thought of Noah on his 5th Birthday, unfortunately Noah and his family were not here with us as they are holidaying down south. We didn't pray or study in the conventional ways but just meeting together, the dinner conversations (we had an interesting one last night) and the fellowship we share (and the wine & meal) are important to us and have kept us close and together for so many years.
Thanks for a great evening.
God Bless
Michelle :)
I have been reading a womens Christian magazine and also their email newsletters I received this article today about finding silence in an over stimulated world- radios, music, televisions... quite an interesting read. (The bold parts are what really spoke to me) If this apeals there are more articles and information at their website
http://www.radiantmag.com/
ADD and Groceries By Joy Williams
I am a noise-addicted woman in a culturally distracted world. Don’t believe me?I went to the grocery store just a few days ago. While I was busy thinking about dinner, I found myself humming along to the top 40 hits blaring overhead. I was reaching for glamorous articles (like toilet paper and lettuce) when I thought about changing the ringer on my phone … it was time. I went out to my car after purchasing my groceries, and my car stereo was tuned to the classical station. While I drove, my mind meandered, and so did my hands on the radio dial. I went from Vivaldi to Kelly Clarkson, from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to the Doors. Before I knew it, I had pulled into my driveway without absorbing one single song all the way through. With groceries unloaded, I went into the spare room to check out MySpace. Different profiles had carefully chosen songs, colors and banners to burst onto the scene with each visit. I stayed at this online dance club for a half hour and read several blogs of every emotion and opinion imaginable. All the while, in the background was the low hum of the TV I’d inadvertently turned on in the other room.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I took stock of these “natural” habits I’d formed in my day. The only word that came to the forefront of my thoughts was oversaturated.Have you ever felt this way? Has the noise in your life risen to a louder decibel? I am beginning to wonder if we are quietly suffocating ourselves with the noise by which we so quickly surround ourselves.
I recently had the privilege of going to the symposium of a highly esteemed, international cultural analyst regarding our country’s current temperature. An English accent danced through each word as he described a culture that is so noisy, so vocal. He spoke about an inflation of thought—that we desire being heard in a culture that stifles and yet promotes autonomy. His description of this constant kind of amplified motion and musing, he proposed, had caused a kind of cultural ADD … a restlessness within many of us. What he shared has astounded me, shaken me and invigorated my soul in the last few days. Though I will never demonize technology or music, this thought of “unnecessary noise” in my life has led me to a place of introspection.The world has shrunk because of the Internet. We have avalanches of opinions and information at our fingertips more than ever before.
But, herein, perhaps is the deeper issue beneath it all: If we are all “declaring,” who is really listening? This has caused a series of questions in my mind. “Am I afraid of quiet?” “Why do I always have the radio or iPod playing?” “How much time in my life is filled up with thinking about ‘me,’ when I should be thinking of others?” With this daily rush in our multitasking lives, maybe there is a great need to stop and breathe for a moment. When I tap into the silent stirrings of my soul, I can detect a desire for “still.” There is nothing wrong with quiet-nothing to fear—yet I’ve run from this many times.
For the first time in a long time, I took a walk outside yesterday while the fall was flirting with summer. I listened to the crackling of the leaves beneath my feet. I took in the sweet air wrapping around my face. I heard an old man laughing in the distance. And I sensed more glory in those minutes than I had in all the fast moments I had absorbed earlier.Moments of stillness, perhaps, allow our bulging spirits time to do some laundry.
When our mental hampers are overflowing, maybe it is our souls calling us to listen and quiet ourselves. The “motionless moments” just might allow those deeper mysteries from within to ri se up, and our hearts might be able to find fresh air again. And perhaps we’ll be able to hear a “still, small voice” in those placid moments, as well.I am inspired to remember the gift of quiet, and to be a soul that listens first before it speaks.
Maybe today is a day that you can choose to fight this cultural ADD in your own life. Perhaps today is the day you say no to the noise for a few moments.
May you find some quite motionless moments in your life.
God Bless Shelle :)
Noah has recovered well from his tonsils operation yesterday - in fact so well that they sent him home instead of asking him to stay the night. Thanks for your prayers.
Matt has had some bad news - his employer (in Disablility services) did not recieve much funding for next year, but after a very worrying week it looks like he will be picked up by the local TAFE.
We have all been at 6's and 7's lately: People on holidays, illness, meetings, concerts and winter blues. Hopefully this week we will return to a bit of a regular rhythm. At least some of us are going to be there!
I am reading Jack Dominians book "Living Love" at the moment. A wonderful reflection on love, life, community and singleness and the future of the church. Well worth your time.
Jamie Oliver teaching monks to cook!
A beautiful monastic funeral homily which contains this great poem:
God and I?
That’s simple.
We are like two big people in a very tiny boat
who are continually,
unexpectedly bumping into each other
and giggling.
Blessing to all of you
One of the community and I had a great chat on the weekend about the nature of community, its place in married and family life and the incrediable, unmissable dimension it beings to our lives.
That moment when you can't imagine being with and caring for those others you are traveling with is not only a grace filled one, but also the moment a deeper journey begins...
Nouwen, as usual, writes about it all brilliantly:
The great mystery is that in community we find a new loneliness, and it it turn, creates a new intimacy.
Paradoxically, if I'm well-embraced, well-held, well-kept by my friends, then suddenly, by the very intimacy of that embrace, I know that I am alone in a very deep way, in a loneliness that I didn't know before.
It is precisely that the love and intimacy of the other which reveals my deepest loneliness which I couldn't get in touch with before I entered into community.
In the freedom to hold, to touch, to be close, we realize how deeply alone we are, and should be, for God alone.
Alone I will die, even when I am surrounded by friends.
It's my unique journey.
I want, need, to live it with others, but life is still my lonely journey.
Yet when I realize that aloneness, I also realize a new intimacy.
As we come together we realize that we can be bonded like this only because we were loved long before we met each other ... A voice that said:
"You are my beloved son, on you my favour rests..."
Henri Nouwen, "The Road to Peace"
Here in Australia, we have been exposed to the Fourth series of Australian idol. I am sure everyone around the world knows about the process - hopeful thousands are gradually narrowed down to a final winner - who is given a recording contract and instant access to the B-Grade star machine. This year they are encouraging songwriters and singers who can play an instrument to compete as well. Maybe they are searching for someone with real talent...
Interestingly, many of the winners of their respective sections thank God, make the sign of the cross, or some other religious affectation. I would love to see what the losers have to say about God! Maybe a little less complimentary. Now perhaps this is just because it is trendy to be "spiritual", or maybe its a cultural marker for some of these people (Like soccer players) but I am fascinated that an industry better know for its hedonism now is unafraid of some spiritual content...
There are larger issues at play as well. One of the final 12 contestants is the lead singer of a Queensland Based Christian band. How does the win at all costs, or I win because you lose ideal of the show fit with a mature faith view? How can a Christian compete in a competition where specialness, and "Look at me" are praised and rewarded and real qualities of compassion, justice and community could infact damage your chances? How does our real identity develop in this environment - when hidenness is so vital to spiritual growth?
Worse still, the final 12 competitors are put together in a house in a sort of competitive community. How psychologically damaging is it to spend time with people, and begin to develop real relationship, when any of them could most likely be evicted any week because of your success? How can real openness and compassion and humility develop in this environment?
What does this say about us as a society? About me? What messages are my children learning from all this? Success is all? People are to be used and beaten in the achievement of my dreams?
I don't know. But I like some of the music (and a lot drives me crazy...). And especially Bobby (pictured) because he sang the Church's "Under the milky way" - an Aussie mystic rock classic. You can read what the songs writer, the brilliant Steve Kilbey - says here. But be warned. It contains some bad and naughty words.
Chris
Phil, Matt, Jason and Chris
Just us and the Monks.
That's a gift.
Cold.
Quiet.
Lauds and Mass
Reflection.
Enough for now.
We know you love us,
But God we are so tired,
Give us peace tonight.
I think that pretty much sums up how most of us felt as we met last night. Need I say more?
Pax
Burrfoot
I have been rediscovering the meditative tradition via Evelyn Underhill, Antony De Mello and of course Thomas Merton (Who actually doesn’t say much about how to meditate/contemplate but wrote so much about it that it is really a given).
I don't actually think I left it behind - but the last few years I have read more about the Liturgy of the Hours, Communal Prayer and the Benedictine way than about meditation in particular. Contemplative prayer is not opposed or at odds with any of this. In fact I now find that it deepens both my experience of communal prayer and of Lectio to have a large period of silence either before or after the more formal part of the prayer. Last night at Vespers we had a lovely period of silence before we prayed - well, before the children began fighting over their dinner ...
I also find that sacred space helps. In our space at home we have a little incense burner, a lovely Taize cross Icon (as Pictured) and a seasonal candle from Jamberoo abbey. Our kids get the idea that when the candle is on its prayer time – and that means shhhh!
Shared silence together is amazing. Last night the four of us (Chris and Coralie, Matt and Shelle) just sat. Four friends together gathered for prayer in the presence of the Lord. What a privilege. We could hear the traffic, the birds, the children – and through all our great, mysterious God surrounding us.
I have really enjoyed looking around the World Community for Christian Meditation Site. Its director, Dom Laurence Freeman has visited Australia many times, and is a wonderful advocate for the importance of meditation and contemplation in contemporary life. They also have a wonderful article on meditation with children here and at this site.
Yours in hopeful silence
Chris
For Noah, (ages 4) who is going into Hospital in Early September to have his fourth set of grommets and his tonsils out (He has very narrow airways and this should all help him out...)
For Michelle, as she embarks on some new adventures..
For Chris, as he considers career change
For Coralie...
For Matt and Linda...
For The Smiths...
For Pete...
and all of our friends, family and benefactors (to be very Benedictine!)
With Love
Chris
Radical Indian Jesuit always make me smile.
This one made me think ...
I have come to a position where most prayer, as we traditionally understand the word, is a pure waste of time. It merely caters to the fantasy needs of the people who have a compulsion to placate a Deity. What a tragedy to see so many hours wasted in worship that could have been better spent in reading a good book , and even better, in advancing self-understanding and self-knowledge....
(From We heard the Bird sing: Interacting with Tony De Mello)
I'm not sure I agree but I can see his point...
Great community meeting last night.
Pizza, wine, frank and honest conversation with usual silliness and camaraderie!
Good luck tonight Shelle!
The contemplative ... is by nature a missionary. The vision which he has achieved is the vision of an intensely loving heart; and love, which cannot keep itself to itself, urges him to tell the news as widely and as clearly as he may. In his works, he is ever trying to reveal the secret of his own deeper life and wider vision, and to help his fellow men to share it...
From "Practical Mysticism"
(With apologies for the non inclusive language)
I don't want a small God.
I don't want a God who is just a mega me.
I want a God beyond me.
I know my words can't describe God adequately. They let me down.
Whatever I say, it is not enough. Or incomplete. Or often plain wrong.
When I say God is good, I want good to be beyond anything I can understand.
When God is merciful, I want mercy beyond my wildest imaginings.
I am tired of books and people and sermons which "understand" God.
Which reduce God to little theories and ideas and 3 points to take home.
God is bigger than that.
The Eucharist is more than bakery products and port.
Baptism more than a splash.
Marriage beyond what any of us can see.
I will wait for this God beyond me.
Just for a glimpse.
In the silence.
In the unexpected moment.
Within and outside of me.
Beyond me.
I don't know about you, but I seem to have a cycle with books.
An initial reading and then deeper readings, sometimes at much later dates.
I have recently rediscovered Evelyn Underhill's "Practical Mysticism".
This quote has stuck with me for days...
" The artist is no more than the contemplative who has learned to express themselves., and who tells their love in colour, speech, or sound:
The mystic on the one side of their nature is an artist of a special and exalted time, who tires to express something of the revelation they have received.
Both have exchanged the false imagination ... For the true imagination which pours itself out, eager, adventurous, and self giving."
Community life is just carrying on.
The Smith kids are sick. Eliza has been involved in Wakakirri . Noah has ear and throat infections. Matt and Linda are busy as. Michelle keeps on driving over 100 kms a day to and from work.
This is the stuff of life.
God present with us in the midst of all our business and family and illness and fun and prayer.
The boys are off to New Norcia at the end of the month for the weekend. We can bearly wait.
Have updated our books and listening tastes. Check 'em out.
Two local interesting church links.
The Living Room
Small Boat, Big Sea
Blessings to you. Whatever is happening.
Chris
Found this over at Kyles. Great stuff.
Other community members need to play!
One book that changed your life:
Esther De Waal "The Benedicitine Way". Began this whole crazy journey
One book that you’ve read more than once:
Henri Nouwen "The Genesee Diary"
One book you’d want on a desert island:
Abhishiktanada "Prayer" (look it up!)
One book that made you laugh:
Ben Elton Stark
One book that made you cry:
Ann Patchet. Truth and Beauty
One book that you wish had been written:
The dummies guide to making difficult decisions in the spiritual life.
One book that you wish had never been written:
Any thing anti catholic.... Just look in your local Christian book store
(and no I'm NOT paranoid!)
One book you’re currently reading:
C S Lewis Essays, Philosophy, Short Stories
One book you’ve been meaning to read:
J H Newman Apologia Pro Vita Sua
You can shampoo my hair,
But I believe in Jesus.
Eliza - Rose, Aged 5.
Sounds like a manifesto....
More thinking about our community, the wider church and all the issues which we run across in my discussions with Christians of all denominations and persuasions.
Reading Lewis has made me want to ask big questions of myself, to not waste my time on peripherals, to be honest and intelligent and engage.
I ask these questions of myself, as much as of you.
Does blogging help to build the kingdom or does it just “stir the pot” ?
What long-term effects will the neo-monastic movement have?
Will any of us be able to sustain our close communities in the long term?
Does the Emerging Church really matter?
Will it have long term effects as a movement on its own.?
Will established churches be influenced in the long term by its spirituality, worship or theology?
For how long can a church/movement engage with its dominant culture, as fully as the emerging church does, before it becomes saltless salt, or trite, or rootless, or so relevant it loses its connection with the ancient faith once handed on form the apostles?
Did Thomas Merton like Giant Steps by John Coltrane, or was he a Kind of Blue fan?
Pick a question?
Ask a question!
Write an answer!
As I continue to read a biography of C S Lewis, I also continue to think about the importance of education, or lack thereof, in the Christian life, and its place for me personally and that of my two little ones.
Lewis, and many of his contemporaries, were schooled in “classics” – reading and writing Greek and Latin, Greek and Roman literature, philosophy, history, and politics. Not only was this considered a basic education for those going into English politics or public service, but also as a basic degree before going onto studying anything else – be it English, Theology, Languages etc.
I can’t help wondering about the basis of my own education in comparison to Lewis’ and the correlating spiritual issues. I sometimes feel poorly prepared. Many of the Christian writers I admire had the same training as Lewis (For instance, Baron Von Hugel, Spiritual Director of English mystic Evelyn Underhill, who prescribed a reading program of Roman writers to his niece when she inquired about the faith).
To my mind, it gave them a broadness of thought, an appreciation of the expressions of humanity through time. It also gave them a historical and sociological context of their understanding of Christianity of which I have only the smallest knowledge.
This type of knowledge must surely be an antidote to narrow beliefs and narrow sectarian understandings – at least you would hope so! It is also, of course, medicine for the anti-intellectual type Christian, of which I have had the misfortune to meet a few lately (You studied where? And you’re still a Christian…)
I think the Benedictines fill this educative roll for me.
This is not in any way to reduce the great spiritual or liturgical learning I have found at the monastery, but Education is valued. Knowledge is important.
Join the monastery and see the world! (Sometimes in a more than metaphorical sense!) Becoming immersed in a rich tradition like that of St Benedict gives a language and a way of seeing the world which is both broad and informed.
So for my little ones, for who I want “Broad and informed” (I like that!) I encourage them to read. And more reading. To discuss. To question. To not settle for easy answers. To believe. To value learning. To embrace mystery when they find it. To pray. To love richly and deeply. I hope it will serve them well, and in their learning, I will learn these lessons too.
Classics at the University Of Oxford
Classic at the University of Cambridge
Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.
C S Lewis
BTW, ever since we put our book lists up, comments have ceased!
Hope no ones offended by our taste!
Last night at community Rachel was discussing a documentary she saw detailing the life of several Mennonite families. The families came from two different communities, one more “liberal” than the other. The more basic community had no power, no modern dental services, and no rubber tyres on the tractor – apparently going into town to get new tyres was an opportunity for drunkenness. But most notable was the lack of education overall. Only the Bible as literature. Only able to write own name.
Skip dimensions to our place. Books oozing out of the shelves. I am considering studying for my fourth degree. My daughter aged 6 wants to learn Latin, so together we are learning. My son has a few language issues, so he is going to a Speech Pathologist (and doing well). I am part of a community where we have all been to University after high school. Education is important to us. We talk, debate, discuss, compare. I can’t imagine not continuing to learn, read and discover.
But where should we place Education in the overall view of our lives? As usual I return to the monastic model, where Education is one third of the study – work- pray model. Education is good when it serves the community (which can be by facilitating personal growth). Being bookish I know that there is great joy in learning, and it is easy to be obsessed and become focused on the learning for its own sake. But eventually, as Christians, our learning needs to lead us back to developing our true selves, and in that way serving our brothers and sister.
St Irenaeus’ words “The joy of God is a person fully alive” have great truth in learning.
I do see that Education can be an opportunity for sin and brokeness. We can find new, damaging experiences. We can encounter views we may not have the maturity or wisdom to dialogue with.
But, firmly rooted in a community of faith and wisdom, and trusting in the Holy Spirit, Learning is a journey we are all called to take. Not to superiority and pride, but to understanding and truth. There is no implicit Holiness in being uneducated or illiterate – but neither is there in the opposite. But I know simplicity of heart can go with great learning.
I feel like I’m rambling. I have a cold. I keep trying to find great C S Lewis quote on education.
Tomorrow.
Happy St Benedict’s Day !
Oblates, Monastics and religious of every persuasion celebrate today the founder of Western Monasticism.
At mass this morning (I’m on holidays so I could actually go with Matt) Father David called for us to follow St Benedict in finding how “our work and our prayer can lead us to holiness”.
We’ve told the story of Benedict and discussed much of his wisdom in previous posts. You may want to check out
Living in Community
Message from another community
Vespers
Some Australian links to see are listed on our side post (New Norcia and the Dardanup House of Prayer) but also visit the home of the Benedictine Order at www.osb.org
Has St Benedict influenced your community or your life?
Not sure about this but here's the answer anyway!
You scored as Liberal Catholic. You embrace the social justice mission of the Church, and the view of Catholic community as seen in the Acts of Apostles. You have a great love of the American democratic tradition, but tend to want to apply these traditions to the Church itself and the deposit of faith. You want a married and female clergy, decentralization of power, and an endless list of reforms. You feel that you are a true champion of the Second Vatican Council.Like the Neo-Conservative Catholic, your views may be too determined by American culture, and you may uncritically accept many theories that may be harmful to yourself and society; instead you may need rediscover authentic Catholic thinking. You should emphasize the love of God, as your Creator and sustainer.
“Is not Holiness the result of many patient efforts after obedience, gradually working on us, and first modifying and then changing our hearts?”
John Henry Newman.
I am both drawn and repelled by the idea of Holiness.
Holiness can speak of pious, do-gooder, churchiness.
A Christianity that is spineless and insipid.
But I also know holiness can also speak of being in-tune with the Spirit.
Of time spent studying the scriptures, and of a heart for both prayer and the whole of God’s creation.
Truly a life “Set Apart” for God. In the world, but not of the world.
I know I need more holiness in my life.
I am barren too often - unable to respond to God’s love through my own listlessness, stubbiness and unawareness.
Holiness must have an outward form. A visible, and “sacramental” character.
What might Holiness look like for me as an individual - as a husband, as a father, as a son, as a colleague, as a friend?
Equally as important, what might Holiness look like for us a community?
How to structure, grace and liberty work together for our good?
The test is “Are we living in a mere dream, which we mistake for Christian faith and obedience, or are we truly awake, alive, living in the day, on our road heavenward ?”
Newman.
I will seek holiness that I may believe.
Hey ... Did someone mention the "H" word on Wednesday night...?
Some cool links to check out at the moment.
Aimee is another newish catholic who is thinking deeply about her faith and its practice.
We are continuning to pray for Bryan.
Alan Creech has continues to write great stuff at the moment. And his comments about our community and the Eucharist provide a wonderfully stimulating discussion on Wednesday night.
Oh. And at the moment I am reading "Christian England" (But Volume 2. The link is for volume 3) by David Edwards. Great read.
One of the biggest gifts I have been given by my brothers at New Norcia is access to their Reading Room. One book I have recently borrowed is “Engaging Benedict: What the Rule can teach us today” by Laura Swan.
Here an excerpt read recently at the community.
Good Monastics value the greater good of the community: actively seeking to build and protect the members as well as the community as a whole. The health and well being of each individual member strengthens the whole. It takes healthy members to make a health community. There is always a delicate balance between personal needs and the needs of community that create and perpetuates a healthy, forward moving atmosphere.
Benedict’s good monastic yearns to develop the fine skills of building loving, trusting, and enriching relationships, especially with those people we ae not naturally attracted to. The community member does not need to argue, but trusts the process of community living or community discernment. With open, honest relationships there is no room for gossip, grumbling and the formation of political camps.
The good monastic is a deep listener. This kind of listening encompasses the fullness of our being. True listening involves an active response. It is listening into being. Deep listening is fed and supported by quality silence. Silence supports our growth in self-awareness, discernment, and simple confidence in ourselves. We come to know ourselves primarily in our silence and solitude. The monastic heart makes careful use of words; words can give life or destroy it through our anger, jealousy or vindictiveness. Words are used carefully in support of the relationships.
The good monastics prayer is passionate and sincere, simple and to the point. The monastic heart is immersed in prayer in a total wayof life. Gentle compassionate prayer cultivates and sustains a yearning for prayer.
And so goes on this wonderful wisdom. If only we could live this out …
It all started for me with a resignation/firing. I'd been the youth minister at St Phillip's (the Anglican church Chris and Coralie attend) for about 18 months and was really starting to struggle with a conflict of cultures. Most churches I'd been involved with had youth that were eager to get involved and be active (this was in my Sydney Evangelical days of course). However there seemed to be a trend at St Phil's that the youth minister did/ran everything for the youth and the young people just attended. Anyway lets just say my resignation started with a comment from my 'boss' along the lines of, "This isn't really working is it? Your leaving would probably be for the best," and all went downhill from there.
I returned to my former church (one with distinctly Sydney Evangelical Anglican leanings) but maintained contact with Chris et al via the notorious regular Wednesday night 'bible study'. As you've probably read this group slowly transformed/developed into the Transfiguration Community you know.
From the time I started meeting with these guys until a couple of years ago I was single (and my family all live in Sydney) so the community became my family. Although I don't think I could claim any person to be father or mother ... more brothers and sisters on the same journey.
In the time between then and now I've been received into the Catholic church (in New Norcia), considered becoming a monk (in New Norcia), met and married my beautiful wife Linda (in New Norcia) and for some reason been drawn even closer to this crazy community that is also my family in Perth. I love them all and have valued their input in my life more than I think any of them really know.
Matt J (Burrfoot)
