Dear Companion of St. Anthony: As we enter Holy Week, I wanted to share this reflection with you. Lectio Divina- (Holy Reading) has been a part of the tradition of our faith for thousands of years. During his tenure as pope, Benedict XVI spoke of this ancient practice of slowing down and savoring the reading of Sacred Scripture, and his hope that increasing its practice amongst the faithful would lead to “a new springtime in the Church.” We have those who live a monastic vocation in the Church to thank for keeping this tradition of reading and praying with God’s holy word alive for the rest of the faithful. We can also thank the monks and nuns for special liturgical rituals and practices that mark Holy Week and a Sacred Paschal Triduum. The blessing and use of palm branches, the washing of feet, the veneration of the wood of the Cross, the Paschal Fire and Candle, all of these practices, like the savoring of the holy Word of God, are gifts to the whole Church that had their origin and development from those men and women who felt called to live the special monastic vocation in the Church. Those who make it their life’s work to keep mining the depths of our shared baptismal vocation in Jesus Christ, to both live this out authentically, and during these highest of our holy days, to celebrate this calling in our public worship of the living God’s faithfulness to us repentant sinners. Having dinner recently with the bishop of one of the dioceses where our friars serve- post their celebration of Confirmation-he commented to all of us how this Lent seemed the fastest Lent in his memory. How blessed we are to have these tangible expressions of the truth of Jesus’ saving love for us and for the entire world. They are invitations for us to stop and savor the mystery of Jesus’ love. They might also help us to slow down when so much seems to be rushing us forward? We thank you for helping through the generosity of your prayers and your financial assistance to us. This helps us to be able to join in this mission that I am highlighting of our monastic sisters and brothers. A vocation which at least attempts to offer tangible expressions of God’s saving and compassionate love in our world that is often telling us we must rush ahead. Blessings to you, sisters and brothers, during this sacred time in the life of our Church. May our honoring of the passion of Jesus Christ and its blessed consequences for us, offer you the opportunity to savor the reality that these great rituals bring into our grasp. Might this become a new springtime for you and for all believers as we, with God’s grace, reach to the top of the mountain of Easter. Peace, Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv. |