Friday, 4th December 2009 @ 11:06

Don't be afraid, just believe

This week I spent a few days away up at the Benedictine Monastery at New Norcia. It is an amazing place as it really stands out as an anachronsim both spiritually and physically. A spanish monastic order in the wheat belt!

I do appreciate the central tenets of St Benedict's Rule. He beleived that three things were essential for the spiritual life.

1) Hospitality - he beleived that this was the minstry of welcoming Christ in every stranger (Mat 25)

2)  Simplicity - he beleive that life is better when we seek to life without the accummulation of stuff

3) Listening - he thought it best that seekers spend much time listening to God through prayer and meditation.

As we come hurtliing into a silly season of feasting and commercialis, it is good to slow down, smell the flowers, and thank the Creator who made the flower, the perfume it shares, and the nose who smells it, and the heart that appreciates it.

We face many challenges in life, but Jesus said "Don't be afraid, only believe!"