Silent Retreats
I have a confession to make as a Church of Christ Lifer (as my good friend calls us who were practically born in a church building). I have a fascination with the Catholic religion. I am sure it began way back in junior high when I had a huge crush on a priest. He was young and cute and very kind and I was devastated to learn they couldn't marry! My interest waned and my attitude toughened over the years. Five years ago I journeyed to a monastery in Southern Indiana for a three day silent retreat, all by myself. While I was there I immersed myself in readings by Henri Nouwen, worshipped with the community every morning at 5 am, 10 am, noon and in the evening at 5:00 pm. It was the most peaceful, hospitable three days! The Benedictine order devotes itself to being hospitable to those who venture into their midst. Even though I had never been there before, I felt completely comfortable and safe and very welcome. They were careful to show me where they were in their worship times, they sat with me and helped me learn how to navigate through the music and readings, they fed me good healthy meals and they let me talk or be silent. After three days, I went home in tears feeling I was leaving a very special place.Since that trip, I have read many of Henri Nouwen's writings, I have asked questions of Catholic friends and learned a great deal about some of their practices and customs. I have also found a wonderful Monastery close by. Last year we planned a silent retreat for the ladies at our congregation and we took them to the Benedictine monastery on the southern edge of Indianapolis called The Benedict Inn. Again we were treated with great hospitality and kindness during our stay. That retreat lead to second retreat this year and a reservation for next year already on their books.
My interest has been picqued a great deal by my association with the sisters at the Benedict Inn and the priests at St. Meinrad. The richness of their worship and the musical practices are very different from mine. There is a formality that we don't have. There is a deep reverence for scripture that I have found missing in my congregation. At St. Meinrad, the singing is led by an all male choir divided in two sections facing each other. They chant the Psalms and echo each other. It echoes all through the church and is a most beautiful sound. It changed the way I read the book of Psalms all together. There is much ceremony in their worship and in their practice of communion which is a beautiful thing. It touched me very deeply and opened my heart wide to hear God's voice in a different way. It also opened my heart to hear my Catholic friends and acquaintances in a more loving way.
I am discovering that by becoming familiar with the traditions of others, others are more open to hearing about my relationship with God and how that looks in my life. I am finding that it is much easier to give my faith testimony in this way. I also find that the richness and beauty of the worship in the monasteries comes home with me and deepens my worship in my home church. Through my time spent in their worship and prayer times and soaking in the atmosphere of the community, I am finding myself more eager to be hospitable and to treat those I meet as I would treat Christ. I find myself doing menial work and doing it as a praise offering to God rather then grumbling about how much I hate that particular chore.
While I am very happy with my Church of Christ background and fellowship, I am also eager to add to my traditions some of the richness, beauty and reverence for scripture that I have found in the Monastery. I expect that this will deepen my relationship and experience of my faith in wonderful ways. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me.
posted by Dana @ 12:14 PM
1 comments
