God’s Voice

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by Melodius Monk  

What does the voice of God sound like? How can I hear him through prayer?

There are numerous examples of God’s voice throughout the Bible. Yet I often find myself falling into a trap expecting to hear God a certain way. I’ve heard God’s voice before, in music, in nature, through others, in songs on the radio, through my inner conscience, and one time I even heard an audible voice. But I rarely hear God the way I expect, especially at the time I expect it.  In searching “God’s Voice,”  I came across this quote about prayer from a 19th century Jewish Rabbi. The Rabbi said, “Really, there is no advice regarding prayer. The more you serve God in all you do, the better you will be able to open your mouth in prayer. That is why it is called the ‘service of the heart;’ it depends on the longing of the heart—all day long, in all one’s deeds.”  

I think the Rabbi’s idea about prayer hold’s true for hearing God’s voice as well. When my heart and my choices aim to serve God, rest assured He’ll make sure I hear Him any way he chooses. Isn’t that a hopeful thought?

Rhododendrons

 

A Thread of Longing

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A thread of longing
petals drifting down from cherry trees
in slow motion
so their beauty slides off gently
we do not see a moment of passing.
 
and so, in our lives
our youth slips away in increments
so small
that youth still flickers
like a candle flame on the living room wall.

and then one day
with some sadness
we realize we have crossed
a certain threshold
and shall not have opportunity to reenact
the same events.

From one view we diminish
but in another
we embody an album of rich memories.
We have been formed into something more valuable
than all our doing and imagining.

I wonder what Jesus would have thought
if he looked back on his own experience?
Would he have paused at the suffering of the cross?
Or would he have settled for the gain?

As I reflect over the years,  I see some frayed threads
in my tapestry. Perhaps even some places where the
needle needed to be re-threaded.. But I do sense a common thread;
a strand of longing, a filament of gold that  occasionally surfaces
along my way.  Jesus is persistently at work in both my knowing
and unknowing.
                                         blue heron

 

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Gregorian Chant: The Eternal Song

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Paraclete

For the Spirit of the Lord has filled the world, and that which hold all things together knows what is said.

The Introit for Pentecost reflects the strength and power of the text — a passage from the Wisdom of Solomon, set in Mode 8. The opening passage starts on the lowest note of the piece, giving it a brooding, mysterious quality.  It quickly ascends to its highest point on the word replevit (fills), demonstrating the expansiveness of the Holy Spirit’s action. The two phrases are punctuated with joyful Alleluias. The entire piece exudes an energy and authority, reflective of the Gift that was so lavishly poured out on the day of Pentecost.

02 Ad missam in die – Introit_ Spiritus Domini(1)

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Recipes From A Monastery Kitchen

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by Gourmet Nun          

I love to be surprised by another new artistically crafted dessert that is original and breathtakingly beautiful.  Some are so absolutely stunning and unusual that they really amount to works of art and one almost hates to destroy their beauty by eating them.

However I am equally as thrilled when someone digs into the old worn recipe box and comes up with an old-time favorite that is not necessarily glamorous or stellar in its presentation, but rather heartwarming in the way it satisfies one’s palette and leaves the eater feeling “cozy” and comforted.

That is why I was so pleased to learn that one of my oldest and most favorite dessert recipes was being revived and used for this coming week’s activity. It is a perfect accompaniment for the meal that is not elegant as much as wholesome and hearty. I know that the men are going to enjoy it as you will when you try it, and what a perfect time to make it while the rhubarb patch is at it’s peak.

 Fresh Orange Rhubarb Betty

1 ¾ cups sugar
1 Tablespoon flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon grated orange peel, divided
5 cups cubed rhubarb (1 ½ pounds)
1 orange, peeled, cut into cubes
3 + 1 cups bread cubes
¼ + ¼ cup butter
½ cup coconut

 Makes 12 servings

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine sugar, flour, salt and ½ teaspoon orange peel. Stir in fruits. Add the 3 cups bread cubes and ¼ cup butter.  Mix together and put into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Mix the remaining ½ teaspoon orange peel, the 1 cup bread cubes, the remaining ¼ cup butter and the coconut and sprinkle on top.  Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until tender.  This recipe may be frozen for use later.

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Truth To Tell

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by Sr Nunother  

I have a friend who sometimes declares, “I need to own my beans.”  What she means is, “I need to look at this squarely and take responsibility for who I am and what I do.”  It’s so easy for me to side-step the truth and for a variety of reasons: protect my pride, not risk a relationship, avoid pain, avoid reality, remain superior and not appear needy. 

Two weeks ago, I served a dinner in Bethany Guest House. As I removed the pie from the warm oven, I carelessly left the oven door open. After cutting two pie slices and adding scoops of vanilla ice cream, I turned and charged toward the dining room. Oops. I slammed my shin against the stainless steel edge of the open oven door. The wound looked strange but I decided to minimize. I calmly called to one of the guests (I knew her well) and asked if she would mind pouring tea and serving pie. She came into the kitchen, noticed the blood trail and said, “Honey, you need a doctor.” The cut required thirteen stitches, but I maintained throughout that I was fine, it didn’t hurt and I’d be back to work that same evening. But what was I really feeling? More along the lines of “Aaaugh!! My leg is killing me and I want the best medical help available!”

There are moments each day when I adjust the truth, most of them silly and pointless.  Why not simply own my beans and live in that liberating place called reality.

 

 

Late Have I Loved You

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by Artist Eye  

The other day we were sharing a few things that we were grateful for and one person said that they were grateful for the rain after gardening.The phrase sounded so biblical, it made me smile. It sounds like that verse in Second Samuel: He is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.

Then I thought, why shouldn’t it sound biblical? Same needy children of men; same bountiful God; same need to rehearse our gratitude: And surely, His Mercy shall come down as the rain after gardening. . . .

rain

 
 
 

Freebird

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Sometimes when I watch birds dart to and fro, I dream of having some of their qualities. There’s the obvious quickness I would have loved as an athlete, but there is another quality that I cannot easily grasp, one that I feel content to sit and admire. The little birds stop and start so decisively, so seemingly in control and confident to stop, to start, to wait, to listen, to cease. Maybe it’s the listening and ceasing that appeals? 
 
The birds seem free to bounce from branch to branch, suddenly soaring across the yard at some un-foreseen whim. They may stop at a spot on the grass for food, atop telephone lines for a chat with friends, but best of all they entertain with a series of deft defying acrobatics with no fear or worry. Maybe this is what I covet — to live by Jesus’ promise that worrying will not add anything to my life. In the Gospel Jesus uses the sparrows as an example, and today he reminds me as I observe the little creatures, that by trusting in His kingdom, all the things I covet, and more, will be given.

 

Life of a Crab

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A narrow strip of sand running along the edge of the marsh grasses. Here the tide comes and goes. The fiddler crabs have surfaced again after the winter and are busy scampering sideways over the sand; excavating their houses. As I walk along they feel the vibrations of my steps and flee into their holes, leaving just of the tip of a claw visible at the entrance. Looks like a no trespassing sign to me.
   
Fiddlers are such amazing creatures. Their eyes swing up and down on little poles. The males have one extra large claw for bravado. This claw is also the source for their name because it looks like they are dragging around a large fiddle. What struck me today is that the fiddlers live in a colony, actually quite close to each other; yet they seem to operate as individuals. This may be ignorance on my part, but they move around each other without any acknowledgement of one another, and when danger approaches; it seems to be every man out for himself.
 
I have a tendency to act a bit crabby myself. I live in the midst of a colony of fellow Christians but I can still resort to living alone, withdrawing into my little hole. When you live in close proximity to others reality is never very far away. Sometimes I raise up my big claw and wave it around to let everyone know that I am not a push over. But I find that sitting alone in my hole is not what it used to be. I use to crawl in, put up my claws on the ottoman, and wait for the tide to come in. But I am learning; still crabbing but learning. Much  to learn; much to appreciate.
 
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Gregorian Chant: The Eternal Song

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Ascension – a time of expectant waiting.  Jesus had told his disciples ahead of time that he would be taken from them so that the promised Comforter would come, yet I often try to imagine what it must have been like for the disciples to see him in bodily form for the last time, ascending from their sight. Two men in white robes appeared and said to them:  Men of Galilee, what are you wondering at, looking up into heaven?  This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come back the same way as you have seen him going up to heaven. (Acts 1:11)

The Offertory you are about to hear using this text, from the feast of the Ascension, is one of the most unique chants in the repertoire.  This particular Mode 1 tune is used  four times during the Church Year – each with appropriate texts:  Ascension, Dedication of a Church, St. Michael and all Angels, and finally All Saints.  In each rendition, there is a beautiful rising melisma (many notes) on the pivotal word of the text which relates to “ascending” in some way. Listen for the word “ascendentem“.  You cannot help but hear the imagery portrayed.

 
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Recipes from a Monastery Kitchen

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I think the biggest event of this past week (well, maybe not, but it seems that way…) was the visitation of the wild turkey. I was talking with a friend in one of the offices and she suddenly jumped up and said “there’s a wild turkey!” and ran out the door. He appeared in the entryway to our common, and proceeded to climb up onto the guest house patio, as if he belonged there. What a handsome fellow! I had never seen one close up, and it was a real treat to see him strutting back and forth, admiring himself in the windows.
 
For a recent brunch type reception, I was asked to come up with a mini egg dish that was similar to quiche, but not heavy. We tried a number of things, and discovered a delicious breakfast option. We tried it first in pastry, which is nice, but then switched it to a ham cup and…oh my!!! Here they are in a breakfast-sized form, which we made for a retreat this past weekend, but you can also do them  mini-size, which are delightful for a brunch reception!
 

Fluffy Breakfast Eggs in a Ham Cup

6 slices of ham
6 whole eggs
6 egg whites
2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 Tablespoon chopped chives
2 Tablespoon sour cream
1/3 cup monterey jack cheese, grated
1/3 cup fresh parmesan, grated
1/4 cup diced red pepper
1/4 cup diced onion
 
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray 6 ramekins with cooking spray. Line with ham, trimming so you don’t have too much overhang — just a  little border of ham over lip of ramekin. Saute red pepper and onion until soft. Divide cheeses and pepper/onion mixture among ramekins. Whip eggs and egg whites with salt until frothy, then add chives and sour cream. Divide among the ramekins evenly.Bake in a 375 degree oven until puffed and golden, about 25 minutes. (note: You can use any kind of cheese or fresh herbs, according to your preference) Have fun!
 
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