Monastery News
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March 28th: Newly Professed
March 25th: The Annunciation of the Lord
March 19th: Solemnity of Saint Joseph
March 16th: Spring’s Arrival
March 6th: Some Signs of Spring
March 3rd: God’s Healing Spirit
Scripture is replete with references to the spirit of wisdom, as a source of healing, comfort and encouragement from God, for those who pursue wisdom. A beautiful passage from deutro-canoncial Book of the Wisdom of Solomon, included in the Catholic Bible, seems to say it all: “I loved wisdom more than health or beauty, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her radiance never ceases” (chapter 7, verse 10). The splendor and worth of divine wisdom is a major theme in the Book of Wisdom.
Today’s photo is of a wooden sculpture, approximately 12″ tall, crafted by a retired priest-friend of ours. It is entitled “Healing Spirit,” and seems to capture the theme of a harp-bearing messenger of God bearing the gift of wisdom to those who are open to receiving it. The Liturgical Season of Holy Lent we are now in is an ideal time to pursue more ardently the “the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Paul’s Letter to the Colossians 3:1).
May we seek wisdom and find her in our daily round of prayer and work, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Be assured of our prayers and please keep us in yours. Thank you. A Blessed continuation Lent.
Abbot Christian and the monks
February 23rd: Holy Lent
February 20th: Faithful Followers of the Lamb
February 17th: True Winter
February 11th: Renewal of Temporary Vows
February 8th: Abbots Meeting
February 3rd: The Mind’s Journey to God
January 30th: As a Deer
The opening words of Psalm 42 (41 in the Greek Septuagint numbering) are:
“As a deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for you, O God.”
This refrain seems to be a favorite of many who regularly pray the Psalms. We monks chant Psalm 42 every Monday morning at the Office of Vigils. It’s a good reminder at the beginning of the week.
Living as we do along the banks of the Chama River, we regularly see deer taking refreshment at the river, so Psalm 42 resonates well with our experience.
Today’s photo is of the logo of a company, called EKTOS (a Greek word for “outside”), that produces camping and general-use woolen blankets. The company is based in Livingston, Texas, and its logo captures well the sentiments of Psalm 42.
Just as God’s creatures, wild and tame, are instinctively attracted to the source of life itself, water, so should we humans long at all times for God’s life-giving Word and grace.
We continue to enjoy a fairly mild winter, and are praying for precipitation in the form of snow or rain.
Be assured of our prayers and please keep us in yours. Thank you.
Abbot Christian and the monks