On November 15th, I marked the 8th
anniversary of my Rule of Life.
Even though the Rule has remained the same, my life has
changed much. I’ve had many spiritual adventures – not all pleasant!
I have decided to read through my Rule very carefully and
make any changes that are necessary. I have learned that the Rule is the goal,
and I often fall short. Sometimes, I’m told, when a person finds that some part
of the Rule is just not working, it should be changed to reflect reality. Not
that we give up on the ultimate goal, but perhaps the steps toward it need to
be adjusted.
Most of what I have committed to do in my Rule will remain
the same: praying the Divine Office in the monastic rite; fasting on certain
days; some private devotions; etc.
I haven’t really started the review and revision process…but
I did find one thing I had forgotten was in there: half an hour a day of silent
prayer before the altar and (empty) tabernacle in my chapel. That needs to
start afresh! Even though the Blessed Sacrament is not there, I have
experienced that tabernacle, with its door slightly ajar, as a sort of “portal”
to all the other tabernacles in the world that do hold Our Blessed Lord. And
even though He is not there, I “pretend” He is – I try to behave as if the
Blessed Sacrament is there.
In fact, I see my chapel as a “chapel of reparation”: I try
to do everything as correctly as possible – changing the altar antependium
according to the feast and liturgical color of the day, and making all the
signs of reverence required when one enters a sacred place – in order to make
reparation for all the liturgical abuses that go on in my parish, diocese, and
beyond.
I offer it all to His Majesty.
Lord
Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.
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