Monastic

Last week I bought A Monk's Alphabet by Jeremy Driscoll, OSB for $0.50 at a used library book sale (San Antonio Public Library's Book Cellar for anyone local). I judged it by the cute bird and alphabet collage on the cover, and so far I have been really happy to have picked it up. In fact, it inspired me to participate in this 7 posts in 7 days challenge. A Monk's Alphabet is composed of a series of short essays on a number of topics, arranged alphabetically by keyword. So far I have underlined the entire selection on "Monastic" because it seems to perfectly describe the purpose of my writing:

"Monastic. I should study and read and perhaps also write primarily with a view toward keeping my own relationship with God intact. If something is produced for others as well by my working in this way, so much the better. This is the monastic way of doing theology."

I have felt a little guilty before about writing primarily for me, but doing so ultimately benefits my family and others who I come in contact with in real life. Blogging has helped my faith life grow, and my prayer become more fruitful. A right relationship with God flows into better relationships with other people, especially my husband and daughter. Big things and little things retain their proper perspective when measured against the majesty of God.

It made me me think more about my domestic monastery here at home. I have felt the pull toward having less to do with technology during the day. I have canceled my Facebook and cut back on Twitter. I usually don't watch television during the day. My weakness is audio distraction via podcasts and Guadalupe Radio. The past couple of weeks I have tried to nurture more daily silence and maybe even adopt a Benedictine attitude of "Ora et Labora". Morning prayer, rosary, Mass readings, evening prayer. I like the rhythm, when I can make such a thing happen (not as often as I'd like).

There is simplicity in the silence. Simplicity in washing the dishes one at a time, hot soapy water full of bubbles for thought. Simplicity sometimes in seeing things at the surface level and not over-analyzing every thought and situation as is my wont. Simplicity in one breath in, one out. In seeing the sun set huge behind a stand of gnarly mesquite. In doing a thing and not wishing to be doing something else. Single-tasking. Simplicity is found in merely being. What a romantic notion.