Just sit back and eat popcorn....

This blog entry is a reflection on the famous line of Shakespeare: "All the worlds a stage".

Here at the abbey we have quite a diverse and entertaining cast of characters living out varied expressions of monastic life. Community life anywhere has challenges, as people tend to rub off one another's rough edges in the day to day situations which emerge. Those who are attracted to monasteries can be quite eccentric and "abnormal" in their personalities.

Years ago, in the late 80's when I first came here, I had no experience of community life whatsoever apart from life in my immediate family growing up. As a result of this, it became quite easy for me to become fixated on other monk's behaviors and to become annoyed by them. I had monastic ideals in my heart, and these seasoned representatives of such ideals weren't living them to the degree or according to the expression that I thought they should at the time. I had read the books and seen the movies. I wasn't witnessing authenticity according to my expectations...such that had led me to the life. Out of perhaps 15 monks, there might be two or three whom I considered to be role models and authentic witnesses. The others were just "inmates" or "residents" of the monastery, hanging around the soup pot in the kitchen and chatting about worldly things.

As time has gone on, I have learned not to be so concerned about the actions and expressions of others. I have also learned to focus on my own shortcomings, and I have MANY of these. Monastic life is sometimes referred to as a "school of self knowledge". There still are individuals in the community who act out their eccentricities in a way that is WAY too extreme. My current philosophy in relation to such characters on the stage of life is to "sit back and eat popcorn". We don't need to become annoyed, we are witnessing a particular scene that is set before us by the Grand Director of the Play. We can be entertained just as easily as we can become annoyed. And we too are characters playing our roles (each another's audience) out from which other's can extract entertainment. This light hearted approach lowers our stress levels and facilitates an enhanced quality of life. We deepen. Let's all be light hearted about such things that we have no control over. Whether our peers are aggravating, grumpy, loud, smelly or whatever....that is their role to play presently on the stage of life. But let's also choose our role model's wisely and seek to be conformed to the image of Jesus in all we do. This is the best place to be when the curtain finally comes down on our world.

The Human Vocation: To Change and Grow

Jesus used many symbols and images when he spoke. He is the consummate poet. "Through Him all things were made" and He alone knows the meaning, purpose and fulfillment behind all facets and features of our created universe. One of His analogies for human life is that of a vineyard which is planted and expected to grow and bear fruit. In order to grow we need to desire and stretch ourselves continually towards the Uncreated Source of life and growth....we need an open heart in order to move ahead in the order of wisdom....listening, thinking, resolving, expanding. An open heart is perhaps a more rare commodity than many folks would reckon. We tend to live in miniature prisons. Consider the various forms of prejudice and discrimination prevalent in our world, ridiculous as they are. Consider labels and constructs such as "conservative" and "liberal" with the polarization and alienation these cause. Consider the bloodshed that has been effected over territories and points of view. Wise people tend to transcend all such things as they transcend their very selves and their cultural influences.

Trees and plants stretch towards the sunlight. We must learn to stretch out our arms upwards with great desire for knowledge and the right ordering of human love in our lives. God invites us to an open heart and a humble spirit. He invites and He provides. Our response to God shapes our eternal destiny. The many material distractions and misalligned attitudes of this world form a crucible of testing for us. Are we aware that we are being tested....that this life is a great period of trial? And we are responsible for being open and receptive to the supernatural growth and development that God wills for us. It is not enough to "grow up" in the world, but rather to grow "fruitful" in the kingdom or "vineyard" of God.

Monks and War Veterans

Here at Assumption Abbey we have a small cemetery in back of our main guest house. There are perhaps some twenty little white metal crosses adorning the graves of the monks who have passed on to their reward.

Among these crosses are some who, in this life, had experienced very noteworthy historical events. Here are a few of these:

Christopher Danz: I knew this monk for seven years prior to his death. He is high on my list for people who gave me great inspiration in my own life of faith. Br. Christopher, was one of the soldiers who parachuted into the Battle of the Bulge at the end of the European Campaign in World War II. He was the guitar player in the monk's liturgy and entertained us with old folksy songs like the "Hatfields and McCoys" at our yearly picnic. When I learned to play guitar, not well but functionally, it was Christopher's finger picking style that I was trained in.

David Blackburn: A soft spoken old monk who was assigned as porter at the main guest house. Polite, courteous and hospitable. Fr David was a sergeant in the Army and was one of those who discovered the reality of the death camps in Germany after the war

Louis Hanick: A monk with a comedic flair. Hard working and dedicated. (The monks ran a block plant before switching over to fruitcakes. Any jokes come to mind?) Fr Louis was assigned to the air strip from which the Enola Gay flew with the atomic bomb that was dropped on Japan.

After World War II, the monasteries flourished and were filled to the brim with candidates. Most of these came to the monasteries as a result of having seen unspeakable atrocities and bloodshed. Their savor for life in the world was taken away and they felt inspired to live for transcendent goals and ultimate considerations. Many of these monks left the monastic life in the early 1960's. Presently monasteries have mostly empty rooms, as the desire for this form of life has waned. If the economy was to collapse or another great war (God forbid!) were to engulf the globe, we would probably witness a surge in the amount of monastic candidates once again.

A Tail of Two Dogs

Charlie and Elijah are two dogs who claim me as their "master". What this means is that somehow I have become the very centerpiece of their lives. Charlie was my mom and dad's dog. My dad had gotten him as a gift as a small energetic puppy. He was too energetic for mom and dad. Charlie would jump on them and often cause cuts on their arms, so I took him to the Abbey to live. For over 4 years Charlie has been my faithful Black Lab. I love Charlie and he loves me. He expresses that love in some remarkable ways. The other week we had a great rainfall which led to the river below the Family Guest House overflowing its banks. The current roared over the low water bridge, which leads up the monastery on top of the hill. So Charlie and I were stranded for a few days. We would walk to the river a couple of times each day and when we got close to the raging current, Charlie would block me from going any further. I mean, he would get very frantic and desperate about it, not wanting me to drown. This is only one small way of expressing his loving care for me.

Elijah, who is mostly Chow, lives at the main monastery by choice. He gets special treats up there after each meal, bones and scrapings, as well as dog food. He waits for me at the bakery each morning as I show up for work. I found Elijah as a puppy down at the river. Someone had dropped him off there. So I am like a "dad" to him I believe. He is a full grown little "lion" presently. Elijah comes down each weekend typically and spends a couple of days at the Family Guest House. Charlie loves his company and they play together constantly. When the river was flooded, Elijah did not allow the raging current to prevent his coming to see me and Charlie on the weekend. He was swept at least a half mile downstream, but made it across to spend a few days with Charlie and I until the river went back down. I marvel at his loyalty and determination for having done this.

Charlie and Elijah are great dogs who love people and live a very free life on our 3400 acres of Ozark land. This freedom reveals itself in their degree of happiness. Everyone can see that Charlie and Elijah are two happy dogs. Dog's are great friends and marvelous gifts to us from the hand of Providence.