Wisdom, Balance, and Grace

Welcome to a new church season after a wonderful summer! The changing rhythms of the liturgical year encourage us to pause, reflect, and renew our commitment to walking together in faith, love, and service. And, in this upcoming church season, I will be inviting you to engage in Joan Chittister’s ‘Benedictine Spirituality for the 21st Century’ (see the calendar). Anglican & Episcopal theology have strong roots in Benedictine spirituality, reflected in our Book of Common Prayer & liturgy, and in our church and cathedral architecture traditions. Written by St. Benedict of Nursia for monasteries in 6th century Europe, Chittister offers her insight in this tradition of wisdom, balance and grace for wherever we are on the journey of faith. Five principles are:

1. Listening ‘with the Ear of the Heart’: Listening cultivates sacred silence: space to hear God’s voice in daily life. This might be in quiet prayer before worship, or holding space for one another in attentive conversation, listening to God, to one another, and to the needs of the world, and lead us to compassionate, wise action.
2. Stability: Embracing the Place Where God Has Planted Us: For St. Benedict, stability isn’t about
   staying put so much as being steadfast to relationships within our St Raphael’s community, investing in the flourishing of our church family, and honoring God’s unfolding, changing story of God with us.
3. Conversion of Life: Daily Renewal and Growth – Conversion is an ongoing, daily, humble process of openness to God’s grace. How can we support one another in this, and practise forgiveness, perseverance as part of this process? You may have followed, as I have, the inspirational (and award-winning for our Richelle Thompson in our diocesan communications!) 50 days of ‘Easter Joy Jukebox’. Each day offered the days’ readings, a brief reflection, and a piece of music. It’s been a gift! One of my favorites was Day 26 with Luke 6: 39-49, with thoughts on being enough and being light, and a beautiful song by India Arie, ‘I am Light’.
4. Obedience: Trusting in God and One Another – a practice rooted in holy, mutual listening—the willingness to hear and respond to the voice of God, whether in Scripture, prayer, or wisdom in our community.
5. Balance and Rhythm of Life – the Benedictine motto “ora et labora” (“pray and work”) speaks to God being present in acts of worship as well as our everyday lives. Rhythm values solitude & community, contemplation & action, and the spiritual health found in a well-ordered life.
6. Hospitality: Welcoming Christ in the Stranger -radical hospitality call us to be a community of open doors and open hearts that recognize the face of Christ in every guest, stranger, and neighbor.

May the peace of Christ and the wisdom of Benedictine spirituality inspire us in this new season.

With love & blessings for the journey,

— Rev. Helen

Rev. Helen is leading a 6-week book study of Joan Chittister’s ‘Rule of Benedict for 21st century’. Join in for a brief overview looking towards a Rule of Life for individuals 10 – 10:30 am Sundays in the St. Raphael Choir Room.