The thing about the devoted life is this . . . monastics are not just interested in the “should” and the “could,” they go straight toward the “how to!”
HOW MANY items could we list, detailing the things our Lord told us to do, both in Person and through His servants, the apostles and prophets?
“Seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14)
“Rejoice evermore.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
“Love must be sincere . . . hate what is evil . . . cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9)
“Study to be quiet . . .” (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” (Proverbs 27:23)
The difference between the devoted soul and the casual on-looker is the “how-to,” and the seasoned monastic knows that the primary “how-to” is always the obedience of faith.
The first item on every “how-to” page is “Yes, Lord.”
The wonderful, sobering call-to-arms in every monastic soul is that, if God has commanded . . . if God has spoken . . . it can be done. We can do it! In the pursuit of the Life and Presence of His Son, we must do it! We must love sincerely . . . rejoice evermore . . . seek peace . . . quiet ourselves . . . and take care of the things under our protection.
That’s why we are here in Cor Unum, to give the “Amen” to all God has said, and to find out “how to” follow hard after His Son in the obedience of faith, to say to one another, “We can do it, we ourselves! We can be found in Him, having His righteousness, filled with His Spirit! What He commanded, we can do!” It’s not a weekend project, but WE CAN DO IT!
"We Will Build It, Because He Has Come"
photo by Kerry
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your comments and corrections are welcome in Cor Unum Abbey . . .