The Very Reverend Billie Abraham, Rector
Silence
November 2011
Silence is the
mother of the Spirit.
It births in us the monastery of the heart.
It brings us beyond the noise
of chaos and clutter and confusion
of a spinning world
to the cool, calm center
of the spiritual self.
The Monastery of the Heart, An Invitation to a
Meaningful Life
Joan Chittister
My mind, body and soul are longing for extended silence. I am
going to make a five day retreat at the Monastery of Saint John
the Evangelist in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Brothers of
Saint John the Evangelist are known for their holy hospitality
and their spiritual guidance. I am privileged to be making my
fifth retreat with the Brothers and my first retreat since I
become a member of the Fellowship of Saint John the Evangelist.
The rhythm of my five days will revolve around times of
solitude and times of community. I will participate in the Daily
Office and Holy Eucharist with the Brothers and the other
retreatants. We will share meals in the refectory while one of
the brothers reads from a religious book. When not in community,
I will have time to read, rest, walk and simply be. I will meet
with one of the Brothers for spiritual direction. I am free to
structure my days and nights as I desire.
The interior of the Monastery invokes quiet, from the chapel,
to the library, and the sitting room with a fireplace. The
exterior of the Monastery includes a walled cloister (a lawn and
garden) and a view of the Charles River. I always enjoy walking
along the river and watching the Harvard crews row their shells
on the river. The Monastery offers sacred space, inside and out.
In each guest room is posted a request. Each occupant is
asked to pray for the next occupant. Someone is praying for me
right now. I will in turn pray for the next person who will stay
in the same room.
The latest edition of the quarterly publication from the SSJE
Brothers includes a letter from The Superior, Geoffrey Tristram.
He expresses the essence of the Monastery, "Entering the Chapel
one is struck by the familiar... there exists a timeless sense
of being surrounded and held by the love of God and by the
prayers of all those who have worshiped in this place over the
decades and by the whole company of heaven."
Although I will be physically away from Saint Alban's Church, I
will take Saint Alban's with me. I ask that you pray for me as I
am praying for you. We will be connected by the prayers we offer
for each other.
From Boston, I will take the train to New York where I am
going spend some days with Amy and Scott, my daughter and
son-in-law. Amy is planning the agenda that includes viewing the
9/11 Memorial and seeing a theater production. Amy and Scott's
apartment is overflowing with two adults and a Saint Bernard so
I am lodging at Saint Margaret's Episcopal Convent that is
located in sight of Trinity Church where Wall Street Protestors
are demonstrating.
I am going from the quiet pace of the Monastery to the fast
pace of the Financial District. It should be interesting!
In peace
Billie+
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SPIRITUALITY & WORSHIP
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