Comments on: Lent 2: In Which We Set Our Minds Somewhere

By: phyllis

phyllis — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:48:44 +0000

Thank you Jan. The image is striking and very strong. It pulled me to stay there for some time, just taking it in. Truly the “focus” is the difficult act for me. All the other “squares” of life seem to compete too much. Sunday during an exercise in Lectio Divina, the phrase “The Lord is near” from Phil 4:5 became my focus. I’m working on filling that out to what it is saying to me in that context and this reading and image were helpful in bringing some thoughts into focus. I’m not familiar with The Benedict Rule, but “linking the details of daily living with the divine work in the world” speaks to me in this pursuit, whether looking forward to Jesus’ “near” return or to his being “near” in the daily living. Your work and words spark so much in my soul.

By: Sunrise Sister

Sunrise Sister — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:20:43 +0000

Thank you for your words about the Benedictine’s, about Peter’s weaknesses, about the possibility Jesus rebuked Peter so strongly in order to keep his own resolve intact. Keeping our own resolve intact is never so clear as when we begin Lent with desire to walk with Jesus and find ourselves “lost” from the path no sooner begun. As is what we hope is God’s way, we just have to step back on the path and be reminded of the grace that is there. Thank you again for the always challenging and benefiting remarks and questions you impart here at the Prayerbook.

By: Shawna R. B. Atteberry

Shawna R. B. Atteberry — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:12:08 +0000

I love Benedict’s Rule, and I tend to be Benedictine. I’m always trying to figure out how to more fully incorporate his Rule into my daily life. Thank you for your reflections.

By: Bridgett

Bridgett — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:14:41 +0000

Nice and clearly stated. I’m a youngish mother of three and a newish benedictine oblate–the rule, well, I won’t say it saved my life, but it saved both my catholicism and my personal faith life about 4 years ago. Truly. Not for everyone, sure, but if it is for you, it seems to make so much fall into place.

By: Roberta

Roberta — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:36:09 +0000

Jan, I love this artistic rendering – it is so powerful….and the words are also rich for me this day. thank you.