Sunday, October 16, 2011

Dear God,

When I was younger I could never have imagined interfacing with monastic communities of faith. I knew so little about who they were and what they were about. I did not understand their commitment to you.

Yet, no community of faith, no theological persuasion, no practicing Christians, no church denomination has spoken to my soul like the monastic communities in which I have shared. The Carmelites, Benedictines, Franciscans, and the Sisters of St. Joseph have dramatically instilled a deep faith in me. They called for more than a "faith on Sunday" relationship with you. They helped me uncover untraveled pathways to the cross and to more love than I ever knew existed.

These committed communities have taught me the deepest values of grace, compassion, love, and faith. Their very presence has challenged me to consider my "working" practice of faith. I have been nudged to reflect upon questions like: Am I really loving in the Christ-like way? Do I live and breathe faith? Do I consider what it means to carry the light of Christ to the darkness? Does my own heart beat in rhythm with my Creator? Am I a living example of your presence? These unending inquiries have helped give shape to who I am in the light of who you are.

In our community alone, at least six of seven have closed their doors and I fear the last one is struggling. One in northern Indiana is not calendaring events beyond 2013. How can it be, Lord; how can it be? Where can the spiritually foolhardy souls go to replenish their thirst or find food that truly satisfies? Where can seekers go for a time away to search for you or to consider the life of faith in the midst of a world whose own values seem to be slipping into a free-for-all meism?

I have to tell you, Lord, that I felt the cut of the knife when I heard the news of the monastery in Indiana. What can we do? How can we persuade a world to pause, to reflect, to consider, to imagine a world without the tools of faith to lead the world to a peaceful coexistence? Yes, extremeism can upset fragile possibilities of peace but what I am talking about is a gentle walk of faith that recognizes the gifts of life that lead to peace, love, mercy, and compassion. What do we do?

Help us,
O Lord,
to seek
the divine
in the midst
of humanity.
Teach us
the ways
of joyful commitment
to love,
hope, peace,
and faith.
Lead us
to wells
of living water,
I pray.

Love, Andrea