Stability

Good morning all, Bore da pawb!

For Day 5 we have a different Bible verse to begin your day.

I’m aware that I have been talking a fair bit about Benedictine Spirituality and you should know, I am definitely no expert. In fact, I am just an enthusiastic amateur who is rediscovering this monastic spirituality after years away from studying it.

I am the living embodiment of the quote from Marge Simpson when she is trying to work out how to fund getting Lisa into college. She tells Lisa that she is going to teach Piano. Lisa questions this saying “but mom, you don’t play piano” or something like that.

To which Marge replies……"I Just Have to Stay One Lesson Ahead of the Kid"

When contemplating how I was going to help people get through the struggles that COVID-19 was bringing, this was what was going on in my head.

Me: I know, I will teach people about Benedictine Spirituality!

Also Me: But…but you don’t know anything about Benedictine Spirituality

Me: "I Just Have to Stay One Lesson Ahead of the Kids"

So with that in mind. Here is something for you today, which I read yesterday.

Part of the Rule of Benedict and the vows which monks were expected to follow, was the idea of STABILITY.

Stability is about the importance of commitment and community in one’s life. In the monastery this was about the monks or nuns committing to their community within the boundaries of where they were and it was a lifelong commitment.

For us, although we are not bound within the confines of a monastery, many of us are bound within our homes. We all have a commitment to the safety and wellbeing of the community in which we live (geographically or globally).

The Stability which we are called to is about remaining committed to doing what we can to make the lives of those around us better and easier. It means prayer and it means action, it means holding before God those people who are working tirelessly to help in this crisis and it means acting in such a way as to not increase the pressure on those already at breaking point.

Stability for us means, lighting a candle at 7pm and praying for hope. It means standing by an open window at 8pm on a Thursday and applauding the work of the NHS and carers. It means leaving a note for the guys who collect our waste, thanking them for all they are doing. It means calling people who we know who are alone and letting them know that they are not alone. Stability means beginning to build up a world which after this crisis has passed will be a better, more caring and more stable one.

*****

MORNING

Wake, but do not move to begin with. Be aware of yourself, the air going in and out of your lungs, be aware of your senses and what they are telling you, feel the aches and pains of life that were dulled a bit by rest.

Give thanks, because all you feel means you are alive, the world is better for you being in it.

Take a moment to think of ONE positive thing you will try to do today.

Psalm 89:14 (Read through slowly 3 times)

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

BREAKFAST

As you make your breakfast, be mindful of each thing you do as you do it. Be fully present.

As you consume your breakfast offer thanks for the producers and distributers of our food, water and power.

LUNCH

Pause. Sit. Breathe. You are still here.

Follow the same routine of mindfulness and thanks as at breakfast.

DINNER/TEA

Same as for lunch

EVENING BEFORE SLEEP

Be aware of yourself, the air going in and out of your lungs, be aware of your senses and what they are telling you, feel the aches and pains of life that will be dulled a bit by rest.

Give thanks, because all you feel means you are alive and have lived, the world is better for you being in it.

Thanks be to God.

Amen