Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Dear God,

How is it possible your church is my church home but the monastery is my home?

I bowed to the altar and took my seat among the sisters of St. Benedict.  It had been six months since I had worshipped with them because of being in Maine.  As the music began and the cantor sang, "O Lord, open my mouth...," we responded, "...and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Where does this feeling of home come from, O Lord?  How is it I feel so at home in the monastic community?  My spirituality is tied to them whether I am with the Carmelites, Franciscans, or the Benedictines.  I do not understand.  All I know is I feel a rush of warmth, a filling of joy, and an incredible surge of peace as together we sing the psalms, repeat the prayers, and listen to the Word of faith.

Although I find joy in the church, it is with the monastics where I find the truest joy I have ever known in a community of faith.  I feel at one, united at a very deep level.  It is almost as if I have always known them, been part of them, and shared the richness of faith.

I am always looking to understand, Lord, to know you and myself better. 

Heavenly Father,
thank you
for drawing me
into your spirit.
Thank you
for joy
that fills me
to over flowing.
Thank you
for your
kind mercy
that always
welcomes me home.

Love, Andrea