MARROW IN THE MONASTIC LIFE copyright Doug Blair, Waterloo, ON, 2017
Tale of Three Monks It was set at the top of a winding dirt road edged with orderly grapevines and mounded plots of vegetables. The province's monastery with over two hundred years of history, solid stone walls, simple design, adjacent pottery shop and hourly exhortation of the steeple bell. Candidates for this solitary life adjusted after much prayer to the industry, meditation and silence, broken thrice daily by the Morning Prayer, Mid-day Message and Evensong. Contact with the village was limited to market days, relief to the poor and sick and collections for the beautification of the village church. Only once in every ten-year interval did the monks get to crystallize and express independent thought to the Father Superior. This was on a rotating basis and occurred on the "Day for Speaking Out". Always the Monday following Easter. Two words only to be spoken per candidate, after much deliberation. The Father in private prayer had been told that the progress over the years of three particular individuals would pretty much reflect the progress in faith of the Brotherhood. The first monk in his "speaking out" asserted, "Lousy food." The Father nodded and rubbed his chin. Ten years later, from the same monk, "Lumpy bed." And in the thirtieth year, "I quit". The Father responded, "Well that figures. All you have ever done around here is complain!" (And so the old groaner joke goes.) But there is more to this story. A second Brother on the same days gave the following responses. Year ten..."Loathsome humanity." Year twenty..."Loathsome me." Year thirty..."Judgment kills." And what of the third monk? Year ten..."Jesus wins." Year twenty..."My Jesus." Year thirty.."Enough said." These were the three men ear-marked in prayer for the Father's consideration. What did it all mean? The day following "speaking out" annually the Father would give his much anticipated "Reflection". (This time bearing a special significance for him.)
The semi-lit lecture hall settled to a calm in the soothing low-angle shafts of novel spring light. "My dear brothers, again we have experienced the passage of Easter: the courage of Gethsemane, the anguish of Golgotha, the promise of the empty tomb. We have also attended to the "Speaking Out". I see evidence of three predominant attitudes in our community. One, of the appetites. A second of the abstract. A third of the abiding. Where do you find yourself? Where do you wish to be found? May God's grace establish you and keep you. Amen."
Monk’s Pause at Mid-Day
Have I missed it? And the day half-done Coming to the board A light repast And looking at the progress won. Must give thanks ‘Neath fullest light For strength and health Thus far. But judgment also comes. Have I been steward wise
Of time and talent Truth and trust ‘Neath my star? And have I helped another Gain new ground? Fed his need? Fostered peace? There’s time yet Let charity abound. (Priorities of the sixth-hour chant.)
Monastic and Waiting
As far as I walk There is much mileage yet The sights I have seen Will be bettered I bet It keeps my eyes forward
Though dark may abound I know God is good There are clues all around. He calls me to listen He calls me to fast He calls to the grinding chore Sameness so vast. Though restlessness beckons ‘I must see some change I must tend a grand cause This place re-arrange.’ And Psalms at the mid-day And Psalms in the night I sing with my Brothers Well versed in this fight Not all of them winsome Not all friends by choice But comrades still searching With one common Voice With exquisite Love For the Gospels and Cross The smallest light coming Worth all other loss. I’ve learned to love silence To read in the shade To marvel at lakeside To stroll through the glade. My skills come in handy For our enterprise For hosting retreaters Or hurt otherwise. And still I press to it The hope unfulfilled A vessel more fitting For what Christ has willed. To see as He saw us When humbled and slain And glimpse the bright Kingdom The humble will gain. (Inspired by the beautiful book Trappist by Michael Downey, 1997 and featuring Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner S. C.)
Peace as Taught By the Needy
In his book Seeds of Hope (edited by Robert Durback) Henri Nouwen describes conditions of his residency at "Daybreak" care facility near Toronto (@1987). There he served "Adam" a seriously handicapped resident, and a thoroughly needy man who brought intense meaning to such concepts as humility, patience and thankfulness. Many wondered how the celebrated priest, writer and lecturer could remove himself from the mainstream and devote himself to such a limited focus. Part of his response: “Adam is the most broken of us all, but without any doubt the strongest bond among us all. Because of Adam there is always someone home, because of Adam there is a quiet rhythm in the house, because of Adam there are moments of silence and quiet, because of Adam there are always words of affection, gentleness, and tenderness, because of Adam there is patience and endurance, because of Adam there are smiles and tears visible to all, because of Adam there is always space for mutual forgiving and healing...yes, because of Adam there is peace among us. How otherwise could people from such different nationalities and cultures, people with such different characters and with such a variety of handicaps, whether mental or not, live together in peace? Adam truly calls us together around him and molds this motley group of strangers into a family. Adam, the weakest among us, is our true peacemaker. How mysterious are God's ways: "God chose those who by human standards are fools to shame the wise; he chose those who by human standards are weak to shame the strong, those who by human standards are common and contemptible-indeed who count for nothing-to reduce to nothing all those who do count for something, so that no human being might feel boastful before God" (1 Cor. 1:27-30 author paraphrase). Adam gives flesh to those words of Paul. He teaches me the true mystery of community. ...Thus as you see, Adam is gradually teaching me something about peace that is not of this world. It is a peace not constructed by tough competition, hard thinking, and individual stardom, but rooted in simply being present to each other, a peace that speaks about the first love of God by which we are all held and a peace that keeps calling us to community, a fellowship of the weak. Adam has never said a word to me. He will never do so. But every night as I put him to bed I say thank you to him. How much closer can one come to the Word that became flesh and dwells among us?�
Power in Humility
The Vicar of Christ, the man in the Seat of Peter, the Pope had made special allowances for an audience with Francis of Assisi. He was curious to examine this poor monk of simple journeys and teachings and to test his heart.
Walking some distance ahead of the retinue, the two passed by an endless succession of statues, fine art, ornaments, glassworks, frescoes and opulent construction. The Pope turned to Francis at one point with a half-smile and said, "So, I guess that it can no longer be said of us that silver and gold have we none." (Acts 3: 1-10) "No, Your Eminence," Francis replied,"neither can you say, in the name of Jesus, rise up and walk." God has established the principle that humility comes before spiritual power or leadership. Consider the passage from Hebrews 5: 8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Consider also Isaiah 57: 15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. The person who has been shown his sin and limitation will waste no more time trusting in self, but will rush to the counsel and strength of the Lord. He has undergone suffering and stretching, and has acquired empathy for the difficulties of others, because he has gone down similar paths. Like David, he can rehearse a personal history of rescues from the lion and bear. His God has proved Himself able. The approaching Goliath will also fall down. The battle is the Lord's. It has cost him to acquire this spiritual currency of holy audacity. Such currency will work to the comfort and salvation of others. 2 Corinthians 1: 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. So my friends, when you come to "the knothole" or the dark tunnel and squeeze through, trusting in your loving Heavenly Father, you may expect enlarged opportunities. Be on the look-out for them. Take what you have to the streets, schools and work-places. Be a servant who knows his place, but who also recognizes the power delegated to him by the Master.
Gardener
I have little plots of this And some little plots of that And I break up ground And pour in rain And seed the place all flat. Every species known by name Every tenderness discerned Yes, the hurting, hoping, lonely Sadly judged, abused and spurned. But the hardiness will come With my love and pruning knife And the blooms and fruits a-plenty From my own Abundant Life. Bringing Me delightful Glory Bringing Me the lips of song Soaking in the Gospel Story Fragrant children, ever strong.
BeeKeeper
This a grand bright partnership As the waving clover grows And my little friends all busy Gathering swiftly, Heaven knows. And I slowly pace the hives Measured help all dressed in mesh Knowing Beulah Land's rich treasure Gleams within those combs so fresh. What a peerless manufacture What a mystic searching out Workers buzz upon the airways Mapped in magic by the Scout. And I sense that God is smiling As He sees me pace the field With an eagerness to harvest And to think on Mercy's yield.
With Salvation
I will clothe your priests With Salvation Not innovation Or lifestyle Or anecdotes End time observation Or summer vacation.
Yes, clothed with it Reminiscent of it Fragrant with it And little else. For there is the sole joy Discovering plenteous redemption Not earned Not learned But graciously laid out For wearing and sharing. New clothes, righteous. In this shall the saints Loudly shout, laugh And marvel. Ever thankful. Fueled for the Master's purpose Purchased, begotten And blessed. Taking no honour for themselves Then doors of praise And manifestation And all the rest. Psalm 132: 16