Monday, January 7, 2013

Sharing a Christmas letter from a friend, a devoted monk.

December 22, 2012

Greetings from New Melleray! Winter has covered the Iowa plains with snow, but God
continues to kindle the fire of the Holy Spirit in our hearts as we eagerly await the coming of Christ.

Many of you have asked me, “what is life in the monastery like?” From the surface our life is not that different from secular life. I cook, clean, assemble caskets, do laundry, and take classes like Monastic Spiritual Theology (Spring ), Intro to Old Testament (Fall ) and singing. Earlier this year, I assisted with the care of the sick brothers. Today I just finished digging parsnips out of the ground.

But beneath the surface, our life fulfills what was spoken of the Messiah who will come “announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation.” Isaiah 52:7.

“Announcing peace” - In a world plagued by violence between peoples of: 1) the same
nationality (Syria); 2) different ethnic groups (Palestinians and Israelites); 3) the same household (DV), it is nothing short of miraculous to have thirty men (not related by blood nor of similar personality) living together in fraternal charity.

“Bearing good news” - More than ever our culture tells us that only with money, power, sex and the latest electronic gadget can we possibly be happy. Living a simple, celibate, vegetarian and secluded life we announce that even if we are deprived of everything we can find joy in the good news of Jesus Christ. As St. Anselm writes, “a sacrifice willingly undertaken does not lead to wretchedness.” Cur Deus Homo. All the ordinary activities I listed above are done for the sake of Christ and so become consecrated to God and for His glory. We also “bear good news” when in imitation of Mary who carried our Lord Jesus in her womb, we also carry the word of God in our hearts as we meditate on Holy Scripture throughout the day (at work and at chapel).

“Announcing salvation” - Monastic life foreshadows what we will be doing for all eternity – gazing at the “serene and kindly countenance” of our Father. Eucharistic Prayer I. I had the pleasure to see many of you this year (and make new friends too!). Several of you noted that I had lost weight. Some ask why don't you eat more? Part of it is vanity: I don't want to look like a giant jelly donut!
But the main reason is that “fasting raises the mind to the contemplation of divine realities.” Summa Theologica II-IIa, q. 147, art. 1. In turn as we contemplate God, the mind is no longer “dragged down by thoughts of food, nor anxiety concerning dress; it keeps holiday from earthly cares and devotes all its energies to the acquisition of the good things which are eternal.” St. Basil, Letter 2. Perhaps more
importantly, we begin to see Christ in each other anticipating the reality of heaven where we will all love one another.

I am excited about this life because in praying seven times a day in Church we join all the redeemed who praise God day and night singing without end: “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” Rev 4:8. My prayer is that Christ, the splendor of eternal light, may come and enlighten our hearts that we may become children of light. Thank you for being part of my life.

We remain united in Christ,