Our community retreat has commenced and our Retreat-giver, Father Joel Rippinger, OSB, pointed out in his opening conference Sunday evening the importance of fidelity leading to steadfastness, the crown of perseverance and the sister of patience. There are ideas from the great Saint Bernard of Clairvaux from the 12th century, but still relevant today.
Coupled with steadfastness is the importance of forgiveness, which engenders freedom from resentment, something to aspire to, as a way to peace. A great help in the process is embracing life as it is, and not as we would like it to be.
Maintenance and survival, Fr Joel concluded, are not the heart of our life, but something else entirely!
Blessed week ahead.
Abbot Christian and the monks
