The Abbot’s Notebook for July 12, 2017
My sisters and brothers in Christ,
Blessings to you! The former Abbot Primate of our Benedictine Confederation arrived here on Monday and was able to preside at the Conventual Mass here in the Monastery on Tuesday, July 11th, the Solemnity of Saint Benedict. Abbot Notker Wolf was Abbot Primate for 16 years and did a wonderful job in every aspect of the work of the Primate. He had never had the opportunity visit our community while he was Primate but now expressed that desire. We are grateful for his many years of service to our Confederation.
On Sunday, July 9th, we received the official decree from Rome, with a date of June 29th, making the Monastery of Thien Tam in Texas an independent community. This is always the goal of making new monasteries: that they become independent and full of life on their own. May Thien Tam continue to flourish and to serve the Church. The Monastery of Thien Tam was founded by our community here in 2008, although the official beginning is 2009. We had so many Vietnamese monks here in our community that our Father Dominic—who was studying in Rome at the time—suggested that we start a Vietnamese monastic community in the United States. Most of our Vietnamese brothers, but not all, went to the Monastery of Thien Tam. Now at Christ in the Desert, we have again many Vietnamese brothers who belong here and not at Thien Tam.
We have founded two other monasteries over the years and also “adopted” a community to help them become Benedictines. So we have a long and rich history of starting other monasteries and of helping other monasteries. This is a strong and striking aspect of the history of Christ in the Desert. It is such a strong aspect that sometimes we are called, mostly in joke, the Empire of Christ in the Desert. This help for other communities gives a vitality to our own monastic life.
This aspect of our monastic life, helping others, also is a part of spirituality. One of the sayings of our community is “if you give all you have, you receive more.” This has proven true so far for Christ in the Desert both with vocations and with finances. It is difficult for me to believe that our present state of huge numbers of vocations and a strong financial security can continue forever. Yet I try to trust in the Lord and believe that He sends us all that we need. The important phrase is “all that we need.”
What do we need? When I think about all that we have, I am humbled. Even in my sickness, I realize that I have access to doctors, to treatment and to medical help of all types—and so many people in our world do not have that access. When I have pains and sufferings getting through my illnesses, even then I have so many resources to help me. All I have to do is think of the people of Iraq and in Mosul at the present time, or the enormous tragedy taking place in South Sudan—and there are so many situations like this. I can think of the immigrants on their boats and then so many losing their lives, their loved ones and everything they have.
What do I need? Not much! I have everything. So many in our world have so little and live lives of joy and gladness. Spiritual should always keep me aware of those who suffer more than I suffer. The early monks, especially John and Barsanuphius and Andrew gave this kind of advice to monks who were sad or feeling sorry for themselves: think of others who are worse off than yourself and give thanks for God’s goodness to you!
Far too often we forget to give thanks to God for all that is and all that happens to us. So often I find myself not giving thanks but wishing that things were otherwise than they are. So I keep working at giving thanks for all that is and all that happens in my life. Can I give thanks for all the illnesses that have come to me? For sure! Can I give thanks for the pains and sufferings of the illnesses? Again, for sure. Why? Because the illnesses and the pains and sufferings have made me aware of how blessed I am in all aspects of my life.
What do I need? Practically nothing! I have everything. Yes, once in a while I need medicine—but it is always available for me. Yes, once in a while I need to see a doctor—but that also is available to me. I have everything and sometimes I complain!
The challenge for me and for many of us who have everything is to see the world from the eyes of those who have nothing—and then it is much easier to give thanks always for the enormous gifts that God has put into my life. Often those who have nothing give more thanks to God than I do and that is a humbling thought.
Do I like suffering and pain? No! But my own sufferings and pains are not much compared to so many others! May I always give thanks!
As always I promise to celebrate a Holy Mass for those who read this letter and for all of their needs and intentions. Again I ask your prayers for me and for the sisters and brothers of all the communities associated with ours! I send you my love and prayrs.
Your brother in the Lord,
Abbot Philip
