PROPER 26 November 4, 2012 FIRST READING Ruth 1:1-18 The Book of Ruth is a gem set by some ancient editor next to the Book of Judges because, though written much later, the story takes place at that time. It is a moving story about a young, naïve woman and an older, wiser woman, their love for each other, and their making their way together through a world where the power belongs to men. It is also a story about the kindness of those in power to those without it. Naomi and her husband, Elimelech, had migrated from the village …
Nature Notes – Autumn 2012
After coming through one of the worst droughts since the dust bowl years of the 1930s, we have finally gotten some rain. Clearly it is still inadequate to compensate for the precipitation deficit, but plants and I’m sure many animals are benefiting from the rare moisture. One of the interesting things that you might note from looking at the prairies at Holy Wisdom Monastery is that most of the plants have survived and look much better than the corn and soybeans in the fields of Dane County. Prairie plants have “learned” through evolution that drought conditions happen now and …
Scripture Commentary for October 28, 2012 by Arthur H. Cash
PROPER 25 October 28, 2012 FIRST READING Job 42:1-6, 10-17 In today’s reading, we have Job’s reply to God, who has been screaming at him for three chapters. Look at what I am and have done! God has been saying. Who do you think you are! Job’s reply is heart-breaking. Like a tragic hero, he has persisted in saying the truth, that God has been unjust. His miserable “comforters” present every man-made argument that he is wrong; but job will not change his mind. Then God shows up in a whirlwind and lets out this long blast against him. The …
Scripture Commentary for October 21, 2012 by Arthur H. Cash
PROPER 24 October 21, 2012 FIRST READING Job 38: 1-7, 34-41 Our reading consists of two passages from God’s long “answer” to Job (Chapters 38-40). I would not myself call this an answer: God arrives in a whirlwind and at once sets about yelling at Job. Most of his angry scolding consists of rhetorical questions, of which we hear a few. God doesn’t come off looking very good here. “Gird up your loins like a man,” he says to Job, “and I will question you,” as though a macho man could withstand the blasts of God! All of God’s questions …
It's been a quiet week…
“It’s been a quiet week…” at Lost Lake (the small, glacial lake on the grounds of Holy Wisdom Monastery!) – both literally and figuratively. In the Retreat & Guest House we are hosting 40 Appamada practitioners for a silent meditation retreat. The days have been cool, and the skies have often been gray, and much needed rain has soaked the earth and brought down many fall leaves. Inside the pulse of life is felt and surrounded by the gracious space of quiet, Benedictine hospitality. We offered an Exploring Benedictine Community retreat last weekend, which included an extended stay during the …
What is it Like to be a Benedictine Sojourner?
On August 15, 2012, we welcomed Nancy Melin and Linda Steg, our first two Benedictine Sojourners, to Holy Wisdom Monastery. They live with the sisters, take part in the prayers and meals. They participate in our work about thirty hours a week in guest services or in the garden. Three afternoons a week we offer classes in Benedictine spirituality and the spiritual life. The Sojourners also have time for reading and leisure activities. The sisters provide room and board, a monthly stipend, medical insurance for those who need it and pastoral care. The Sojourners bless us with their energy, enthusiasm …
Call for Donations to Support Benedictine Sojourners
It has truly been a gift to welcome Nancy Melin and Linda Steg here as the first Benedictine Sojourners to participate in the ministries and life at Holy Wisdom Monastery. I have had opportunities to pray with them at daily prayer, worship with them at Sunday Assembly and interact during the workday at the monastery. It has been wonderful to have new faces and new energy here on a daily basis. The sisters have been generous in subsidizing the costs of participants in Benedictine Sojourners by providing room and board, a monthly stipend, books for learning about monastic spirituality and …
Scripture Commentary for October 14, 2012 by Arthur H. Cash
PROPER 23 October 14, 2012 Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Three long-winded friends (“comforters”) come to sit with Job in his agony. They give him every argument known in that day to explain away evil, but they do not move Job. No matter what God does to him, says Job he will tell the truth. God is unjust (see, for example, 9:21-24). Our reading for today is a portion of Job’s answer to one of his boring comforters, Eliphaz the Termanite, who assures Job that if he prays, if he returns to God, he will be restored. Job answers that he can’t …
The Benedictine way of discernment
Discernment is a process of making a decision or finding direction in one’s life. At its very heart, discernment is a conversation – with God, with friends, with spiritual mentors and guides – a conversation which leads to more clarity about God’s call for you. Discernment brings into focus one’s deepest life questions: What is the purpose of my life? With whom do I want to live and how will I express my love? How can I use my gifts and talents and whom do I want to serve? Benedict’s emphasis in discernment is on listening with both the head …
Scripture Commentary for October 7, 2012 by Arthur H. Cash
PROPER 22 October 7, 2012 FIRST READING Job 1:1; 2:1-10 This month we shall have four readings from the Book of Job. God is proud of his servant Job, who is close to perfection in his life and his worship. Satan, not “the evil one,” but a sort of heavenly lawyer, maintains that if you pain the man enough and humiliate him, he will curse God. God says, go find out. Satan destroys all of Job’s livestock and servants, and then sends a cyclone that kills his children. Job says, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed …