I hadn’t planned to chase him into a monastery.
You listen for One Word to follow into the new year.
I hear my One Word—my Logos—“Jesus.”
Then, barely one week steeped in January, I am listening when he says, “Follow me here.”
What else can I do?
But go.
To Sacred Heart Monastery.
For a one-day retreat: “Listening to Luke” with the Benedictine Sisters.
I’ll be listening for Jesus.
But I’m not Catholic. I’m not familiar with the liturgies. With the elaborate artwork. Not even with much of the vocabulary.
So Sister Elisabeth tells me, “Listen to everything.”
Listen not only with my ears, but with all my senses. I listen to her. Gentle. Peace-filled. Assured.
• I hear confidence in Jesus.
I listen to my new Catholic friend Mary answer my questions during break and tour me through the chapel after lunch and explain rituals not easily explained.
• I hear the grace of Jesus.
I listen to voices, united, reciting Psalm 124 for the midday prayer.
• I hear the deliverance of Jesus.
I listen to Sister Benita explain the sisters’ move from Louisiana to Alabama because they take care of their own.
• I hear the compassion from Jesus.
I listen to the beauty in Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), read aloud, then sung to music.
• I hear obedience to Jesus.
I listen to my own heart as I walk the grounds, soaking in the statues, the stillness, the serenity.
• And I hear my Beloved. And my Beloved hears me.
Where will he bid we go next?
I can’t say.
But I can be listening.
* * *
What unexpected place have you heard Jesus speaking lately?
Courtney · 644 weeks ago
Linked up beside you at FaithBarista this week.
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Lynn Severance · 644 weeks ago
I am attending a new church ( one a former 1st grade student of mine who is now 39 years old pastors ). Ah - finally a church home after some years of searching. I attended my first home group gathering the other night. God was there: in embracing welcomes, in very young couples, a bit older couples, in their my singleness; not questioning it and in insights we all share. It will not be hard to be the resident mother and grandmother at this church! There is no one else my age there. I'll leave that need to be met elsewhere.
I was raised in the Catholic faith so your Benedictine experience is very familiar to me. It leads me to ask if you have read Kathleen Norris' - "A Cloister Walk"? It is her year long journey and thoughts as she was invited in to a monastery and followed their church year worship. I cannot remember for sure if she lived there for the year or was invited in for significant lengths of time. I loved the book!
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