When Was It You?

Mary Reuter, OSB is currently the Novice Director for our community.

In a documentary about the monkeys of Shangri-la in the Himalayas,¹ I watched one youngster that was rejected by the other monkeys, including his mother. He was left to learn by himself how to manage his life, stay connected with the “troop” (band of monkeys), and forage for food. He became under-nourished and socially isolated. 

One day he struggled to climb a tree limb; he was too weak to make progress. He was becoming discouraged, desperate. Suddenly a strong furry arm of his stepfather reached down to pull him up. I imagine him being brought into a strong embrace, smothered in the fur of his elder’s  protection.

When, in the midst of a day has someone made a comment of acknowledgement to you and you felt a boost forward? When have you been struggling in making a decision and an unexpected breakthrough made a freeing shift in your perspective and insight? You realized once again that there is a power beyond you and you can count on it for good. And this power is God. When have you needed help with a task and someone volunteered her services? You were pulled from feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed to relief and accomplishment. “I will praise you, God, and give you thanks” (adapted Ps. 30:1,4).

When have you extended a hand or arm to pull someone a little farther on one of their limbs of life? When might you have been an instrument of God who says, “I pulled you out of the pit” (Ps. 30)—the pit of whatever is burdensome, fearful, painful, unfree . . . .  And you respond: “I will praise you . . . , my God. I will give thanks to your forever” (adapted Ps. 30:12).

¹http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/mystery-monkeys-shangri-la-full-episode/12190/

Mary Reuter, OSB

Here We Stand

Here We Stand: Reforming Anew
Catholics and Lutherans in Dialogue
Saturday, September 9
8:30 a.m-1 p.m.

To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, Catholics, Lutherans and other interested people will gather in the Gorecki Center at the College of Saint
Benedict to address the challenges this day’s title suggests. The words “Here I stand” are often

Dr. Kathryn Johnson

attributed to Martin Luther, as he strongly affirmed his belief in the saving power of God’s mercy. For us today, “here we stand” can both affirm Catholic and Lutheran traditions, beliefs and practices, and pose a series of questions: Where do Catholics and Lutherans now stand in relation to each other? Can we stand in unity in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Can we work together for justice, nonviolence, mercy and hospitality, in a world hungry for these Gospel values? In other words, to what new reformation do our churches and our world call us?

Abbot John Klassen

We’ll address some of these questions guided by Dr. Kathryn Johnson, director for ecumenical and inter-religious relations for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Her keynote address, “What Difference Does This Anniversary Make?” and the response of Abbot John Klassen, OSB, of Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minn., will bring to light the gifts of the Spirit to both religious traditions, throughout their history and at this moment—gifts we can offer to each other and to the world through concrete, united action.

Bishop Donald Kettler

Bishop Jon Anderson

Bishop Donald Kettler of St. Cloud and Bishop Jon Anderson of the Southwest Minnesota Synod of the ELCA will open and close the day
with prayer. There will be time throughout the day for conversation and questions for the speakers. We’ll continue our dialogue at lunch as we break bread together. The day will end with prayer, ritual and song.

You may register online, but hurry because registration for this event is limited.
Questions? Contact Sister Eunice Antony at (320) 363 8927 or eantony@csbsju.edu

Co-sponsored by Saint Benedict’s Monastery, Collegeville Institute, Diocese of St. Cloud, Saint John’s Abbey, Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University in cooperation with Southwestern MN Synod of the ELCA.

[Related events this weekend are being held Friday, September 8, at St. Mary’s Basilica in Minneapolis and Sunday, September 10, at Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville. For more information, contact Carla Durand at cdurand@csbsju.edu]

Mara Faulkner, OSB

Gorgeousness Revealed

As I move through different circles of interacting with others, an observer’s first impression of me may hinge on what I look like.  However, my body is not me. It is the house in which I live. If you say that I am so many inches tall, or that I weigh such and such number of pounds, I will reply, “You are not describing me. You are talking about my address.” [Plotinus]

(Photo by Nancy Bauer, OSB)

When we share stories with one another we begin to notice who we each are at a deeper level and may actually discover certain layers of inner beauty.  In the transformative and life-expressing exchange of storytelling, the listening presence of an attentive “other” helps me see more fully who they are and who I am.  It helps me discover again the truth of this African proverb “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu.” (A person is a person because of other people.)

Once we risk taking off a layer of our skin by telling honest stories to one another, who knows, we might find that more of us can walk around in our uncovered gorgeousness.

Mary Rachel Kuebelbeck, OSB

"Happiness Attacks"

Recently I was with a homeless woman who suffers intermittent “panic attacks”.  Her entire body shakes from the pain.  She sits down for a few seconds, and then, has to rise for a brief moment or walk around to ease the terrible pain especially in her legs. While she was with me, all I could do. . .or knew how to do . . .was to hold her and assure her that how she was responding was perfectly O.K.  It must be terrible to live in her skin, so constantly expectant of another “panic attack” though she was not always able to predict just when it would come!

Today I read of another woman who had what she called “happiness attacks."  These started for her when she was a child.  They lasted but a few moments and came whenever “everything was right in her world:" when she was loved, enjoying school, being cared for.  She noticed these wonderful attacks even though they lasted but a moment. And, wonder of wonders, these attacks continued into her adulthood!  What a blessed woman!  I, too, want to be conscious of such “happiness attacks” in my life and call them by their name!

Have you had a “happiness attack” today?  I have! This morning, I saw our little chipmunks voraciously consuming layer after  layer of tiny blue berries on medium-sized trees outside our chapel—four of them!  The chippies were so quick and even intent upon enjoying this feast in an orderly manner, from top branches to the succeeding layer of leaves and fruit!  I could not help but smile and be grateful for such a lovely “happiness attack."

Or you may have witnessed—as I did-- a six month old baby girl sleeping contentedly upon her daddy’s shoulder.  Or was it a simple thoughtful action like that of a young school child holding a door and smiling at the elderly woman carrying her two bags with  minimal contents as she made her way out of the supermarket?

Let us begin to notice our “happiness attacks."  Surely these would calm the “panic attacks” that at times may visit us. . .or at least others for whom “not all things go right in their world.”

 

Renee Domeier, OSB

Eloise at Five Years Old!

My little neighbor friend turned five. She invited me for her birthday party. She was excited to turn five this summer and proudly beamed she would be going to kindergarten. Eloise is a very precocious, intense and playful five year old. She’s a delight to be with and I have learned so much from her.  Most of us really need a five-year-old friend to keep us grounded in life.

(Photo of Eloise's picture by Trish Dick, OSB)

Yesterday she gave me one of her drawings. She was befuddled about how to draw a five so her mom drew a five on the paper so she could trace it. She made a grand picture for me but decided the five wasn’t how she liked it, so she started over and made her five and then quickly realized her name wouldn’t fit on the page. No problem -- she would write the rest of the letters to her name below.  She proudly gave it to me to hang on my refrigerator.

Eloise taught me that there is beauty in our imperfection. Actually, there is an abundance of life in not getting things right. What mattered the most was her generosity and purity heart in giving this gift. There was no shame in her letters below the five and that is exactly where they needed to be. I mean where else would you put the letters when there is plenty of room there? 

Every day for the Benedictine way of life is a turning – a conversion of our heart. Let us cast our imperfections upon the Everlasting love of God and enjoy the beauty of grace. This is true holiness and purity of heart. Embrace the life of conversion – finding beauty in imperfection and adapt the letters of your life where needed.

 

Trish Dick, OSB

No Going Back

When you hear the words, “There is No Going Back”, what goes through your mind? The phrase “no going back” for me means to build upon what has already been. It means moving forward into my future. I cannot change the past yet I can direct the future. To expand on that thought, for me it means to build upon my experiences. These experiences may be pleasant or unpleasant; yet usually there is growth in what has been part of my past to prepare me for my future. No going back also makes me think twice before I speak because I cannot take back hurtful words. I do not want to regret something I have said to another in a moment of frustration. Whether in action or words, I am continually moving forward in my life. So going back is never an option. I have also learned that every decision I make builds upon a past decision. This thought propels me forward to serve God and to be what God is asking me to be. As a Benedictine sister, there is no going back on my commitment to God or to my community. Each day I move forward in response to God’s call for me. If you would like more information about Saint Benedict s Monastery, please contact Sister Lisa Rose at lrose@csbsju.edu.

Lisa Rose, OSB