Sitting at feet of Christ

Sitting at the feet of Jesus

The shared search for freedom

By Prior James Albers Vocation Director

Pope Benedict XVI, at the beginning of his encyclical Spe salvi (“Saved by Hope”), released before Advent last year, speaks of the virtues of Faith and Hope being synonymous. To this idea he adds,

Faith is not merely a personal reaching out towards things to come that are still totally absent: it gives us something. It gives us even now something of the reality we are waiting for… Faith draws the future into the present, so that it is no longer simply a ‘not yet.’ The fact that this future exists changes the present; the present is touched by the future reality, and thus the things of the future spill over into those of the present and those of the present into those of the future.

The Holy Father said this Faith allowed early Christians to abandon the material substances that sustained them in the present world for a “substance” that endured. This abandonment of self provided a new freedom that “is revealed… in the great acts of renunciation, from the monks of ancient times to… those of our contemporaries who enter modern religious Institutes and movements and leave everything for love of Christ, so as to bring to men and women the faith and love of Christ…”

While reading the Pope’s encyclical, I used for Lectio a passage from the gospel story of Martha and Mary. A parallel was drawn in my prayer between what Pope Benedict was offering and what the gospel shared. Martha moving busily about the house makes preparations for their time with Jesus, while Mary sits at the Lord’s feet listening to what he has to say. And we know that when Martha asks Jesus to encourage Mary to help with the tasks at hand, he responds, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

Martha is so caught up in her routine as host she loses sight of what choices she has before her. God, in Jesus Christ, is in her presence, and she fails to realize the need to dwell in that presence.

As monks, we are called in our search to be in the constant presence of Christ. It is there that we develop a very personal relationship with him through our prayer, work, and above all in listening for his response. This is the freedom of which Pope Benedict speaks: to renounce the things of the world, along with our anxieties and worries, so that we can freely choose to be in the presence of God.

God invites us into this presence, bringing us “new freedom” where “things of the future spill over into those of the present.” In this we are given a deeper relationship with God on our pilgrimage to Calvary, and beyond, to Easter and eternal life.

God sent his only Son to save us by his Passion and death; to show us through his own life that our lives have meaning; that God loves us; that despite all our failings, no matter how dark, he cherishes us as his sons and daughters; that our sacrifices have purpose; that we each have dignity; and that death is never the end of who we are.

The daily interior struggle that we each live with is that we ache for “something more.” It is a natural longing for happiness, but we recognize that we can’t be happy alone. We need common life together. We long for that communion in the Body of Christ, that friendship with one another in Christ’s presence. And that is what Mary experienced in the opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus; the fulfillment of that ache for “something more.” This is the longing of the monk, a shared search for Christ in community—friendships with confreres that lead us to communion with God.

Our challenge comes in discerning when God is calling us to sacrifice more, to renounce ourselves to have the freedom to be in Christ’s presence, to turn away from our own desire and embrace the will of God. Our challenge is to have the courage and humility to ask for the grace to seek out those moments, and throw ourselves into them.

God encourages us to dethrone the distractions that keep our hearts restless and empty. If we strive to be in Christ’s presence, to make room for the real King, he’ll do much more than fill the void. He’ll make us what he intended us to be: saints.

So let us live our journey not with anxiety and worry, but in peace, refocusing our lives on that which really matters eternally—friendship with God. May we each have the courage and humility to seek God’s will for us, and the strength of good habit to follow it. May we find that Easter hope leading to our salvation and granting us true freedom in Christ our Lord.

Journey Forward Campaign Naming Opportunities

The following features of Phase I of the Living Journey capital campaign are available as naming opportunities for benefactors. The suggested gift is provided with a description of the project. Listed in italic print after some naming opportunities are the names of donors who have already contributed the amount and requested that particular opportunity.

Abbey Church Elevator $100,000

Part of the Abbey Church narthex expansion, this elevator provides full and easy access to the church’s main level and crypt.

Abbey Church Entrance Ramp $75,000

The stone ramp with iron rails fulfills Benedictine hospitality by providing access to all who wish to enter the Abbey’s house of prayer. (Retirement Research Foundation in memory of William J. Gentle)

Crypt Art Gallery $150,000

The crypt level of the tower altar area in the Abbey Church is a secure art exhibit for Abbey artwork and the work of visiting artists.

Art Gallery Endowment $250,000

The monks hope to establish a perpetual art gallery endowment to provide for the purchase of religious artwork and funding for visiting exhibits.

Abbey Narthex Gathering Space $250,000

The main component of the Hospitality Project, this major addition to the Abbey Church provides a more spacious gathering area and more accessible restrooms in the narthex of the Abbey Church. (Dan Brosnahan in memory of Bishop Matthias Schmidt)

Abbey Crypt Gathering Space $150,000

Also part of the Abbey Church addition, this area provides more gathering space and additional accessible restrooms on the Abbey Church’s crypt level, just below the Narthex addition.

Abbey Church Interior Side-Mounted Lift $50,000

This self-operated lift will give complete access to people wishing to enter the sanctuary and the monastic choir sections of the Abbey Church, which were previously accessed only by a series of steps. (Retirement Research Foundation in memory of William J. Gentle)

Abbey Church Interior Two-Step Ramps $15,000

These ramps allow wheelchair passage from the choir section to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and to the sacristy.

Abbey Dedication Crosses (12) $1000 each

Twelve wall-mounted crosses/ candle holders in nave of the Abbey Church will commemorate the dedication of the church upon the 150th anniversary of St. Benedict’s Abbey. (Robert Sharp in honor of Abbot Brendan Downey and Father James Downey; Patrick Dyer; Donald F. Aaron Sr. in honor of Father Leo Aaron; Gina Dyer Osborn; Jim King in honor of Sister Helen Buening, Father Anselm Llewellyn and Father Terence Sullivan; John and Mary House in honor of Father Gilbert Wolters; Rita Coupe in honor of The CoupeSullivan Family; Joseph Geist in honor of Fr. Columban Clinch; James and Pat Asher, James and Maureen Asher, John and Jeannie Asher, Martin and Aggie Asher, Mary Asher, Robert Asher, Dave and Elizabeth Gruenbacher in honor of the Asher family; Lucy Walker in honor of Leo and Anna Schmidt; Vincent and Eleanor Kohake, Seneca, Kan; Stephen and Amy Minnis Benedictine College classes of 1982 and 1984)

Guest House Lounges (3) $20,000 each

These three rooms are used daily by monks to welcome guests and provide spiritual direction to retreatants, visitors, and Benedictine College students. (Don and Julie Strathman in memory of their son Keith Strathman; Norman and Shirley Youngberg)

Guest House porter apartment $50,000

This is home to a monk who lives near the entrance to the guest house in order to provide a ready welcome to guests. It has been expanded, carpeted and painted.

Gift Shop $25, 000

A gift shop has been built in the guest house reception area to provide religious items with an emphasis on Benedictine books and gifts.

Guest House Ramp and Accessible Entrance $50,000

A stone ramp with iron rails and a larger, more accessible entryway welcomes guests who seek information or accommodation from the monks. (Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica)

Guest House Lobby and information center $100,000

An expanded lobby, with switchboard and reception area, better serves Abbey and Benedictine College guests.

South Guest House Entrance $25,000

A new, wider doorway and large window offers a view of the Missouri River valley beyond the Abbey overlook.

Monastery Bell system $5,000

A new electronic system of bells calls monks to the guest house to meet visitors. The melodic bells are less disruptive to the cloister than a voice intercom system.

Naming Opportunities for Vestments & Other Articles for Worship in our 150th Anniversary Year

Six Brass Candlesticks for Use at Altar $7,500

(Designed by the late Dennis McCarthy) Skip McCarthy in Memory of Dennis McCarthy