Carmelite Nun

Today I went, for the first time, to a Carmelite monastery.  Six nuns live there in seclusion.  Their job, apparently, is to pray for the world.  I gave the sister some soup and tortillas through the wooden turnstyle.   She spoke kindly and answered questions through the black grating.  I could not see her. 

I asked her why Catholics talk so much about saints.  She said the saints are like members of our family.

I asked her about reading scripture.  She said that they read scripture seven times daily plus she reads on her own.  When I asked her what her favorite scripture was, she had to think and then mentioned the first part of St. John.  

What would it be like to be cloistered for life behind bars as a Carmelite nun, reading scripture seven times daily, praying for the world and getting food through a wooden turnstyle?  She was very excited about the food that I brought.

Trees

"I am like a green olive tree in the house of God." 

Those around me are trees, also, bearing fruit in season. 

I became accustomed to enjoying the sweet fruit of one close to me. The tree, now mature, is bearing fruit that only others can enjoy.  I feel angry and hurt that the fruit which I had come to love and depend upon is no longer there for me . 

Perhaps the fruit will be borne again for me one day, or perhaps the fruit is meant now for another.  Give me strength, Lord. Make me The Giving Tree....

Peace in the midst of strife

Grant me the Peace -- beyond all earthly knowing
The gentle Peace that came thru Boundless Woe;
And from the Cross, on waves adversely beating
Against my soul, may Jesus calm bestow.

[Rhys, lyrics by W.J. Evans,  1866-1947)

Strength and confidence

Reading "Morning Prayer" and "Evening Prayer" from the Anglican Service Book is a daily blessing.  From this evening's reading"

The waves of the sea are mighty, and rage horribly; but yet the Lord, who dwelleth on high, is mightier.
Ps. 93:5

But the Lord is my refuge, and my God is the strength of my confidence.
Ps. 94:22

Forgiveness

The holidays bring about contact with people whom we'd never choose as friends, but with whom we must relate.  It's an opportunity to let go (as past hurts resurface in our minds) and to let God place his forgiveness in our hearts, even as fresh situations arise.

Trees of Righteousness

There are days where I crash and burn.  Life has situations that seem to crash and burn.  God makes "beauty from ashes...a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."  He makes me a "tree of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."  The ashes provide necessary elements to the soil, making it more balanced,  prepared for new growth.

My Prayer

O! Grant the Peace whereby I would be willing
On earth to do God's work without dismay
Devoid of fear and confidently dwelling
In God the Father's love
Throughout my day.
(H. Elfet Lewis 1860-1935,  English Trans. Caleb Rees)