I found myself deeply touched by this morning’s
Vigil reading from one of our early Cistercian Fathers,
Isaac of Stella. I can think of nothing recently written or
said more relevant to our life as Christians today. For me
he is addressing the issue that is causing havoc both in
these United States and throughout the world.
If one really wants to be true to the Cistercian charism,
taking this reading seriously will be of immense help so
I am privileged to pass it on to you.. Also here is my
reflection this AM. Peace, Michael
ISAAC OF STELLA
◊◊◊
“Happy are the meek, they shall possess the earth.” The disease
of desire for gain closely accompanies the vice of pride. For the wisdom that is
not from above is earthly, sensual, of the devil, full of jealousy and contention. It
equates domination with happiness and buys a farm so that it can dominate
others and quarrel endlessly. This wisdom is truly of the devil, it is the firstborn
of him who sought to set his throne above the other stars. But the disciples,
leaving behind that disordered and disordering wisdom together with the
crowd, were privileged to hear the words: “Happy are the meek, they shall
possess the earth.”
He does not say this or that or any section of earth, however large, but
simply “the earth.” Did ever a man, for all his sweat and toil, his money and his
fists, gain more than a part of the earth? Even in this, few have succeeded and
many failed. And who has been able to keep possession of what he has won?
What profit is there in working hard and long to gain something that of
necessity must quickly be lost? Heaven is for the poor, the earth for the meek,
what is left for the contentious? What else do they want, in their desire of riches?
If heaven and earth do not suffice them, what then?… Earthly dominion is
but an illusion of power, dignity and happiness. Why be content with only a
part? Why covet so little and aim so low? The whole is promised and the way is
shown. By voluntary poverty we go and by meekness we move still more
speedily. The truly poor man has the happiness of heaven, the meek man the
happiness of earth.
What remains then for those restless with ambition except the misery of
hell? You who are wealthy and powerful, what will you do? Think carefully. You
have wealth on the one hand and meekness on the other and a thief is
approaching. If you defend your property, you will lose your meekness. If you
hold fast to meekness, you will be throwing away your money. I am caught on
either side, for at one and the same time the thief may take my money and the
devil my patience.
Indeed, would that money had never existed, for in these evil times it
cannot be possessed together with meekness, nor may it be carried on the road
by the disciples of Jesus. Perhaps that is why the Wisdom which is from above
and is pure and peaceable, instructed us to carry neither purse nor money on the
journey, to go to law with no one, to give even more than what is robbed, and not
to ask for the return of what has been taken; in short, to hold fast to meekness
which is the way to happiness. The Apostle praises this when he says: “You
gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves. Why, you let others prey upon you,
take advantage of you!”
Lord Jesus, is there anyone today “who believes what we have heard?” Is
there anyone to whom your way is revealed in the way he lives? How very
narrow is your way and how few tread it! this was “your way through the mighty
sea” of this present world, but in our times “your footprints are unheeded.” the
Apostle [Paul] named your way “wisdom” but today it is called the greatest folly,
idleness, inertia. Alas, these footprints are read of everywhere, but how often
disregarde
My reflection at Eucharist this AM:
+(Intro) We will be encouraged in our first reading this morning to be strengthened in every good deed and word. So let us take a moment to reflect on how or when we may fail in deed or word.
(After the gospel) Jesus criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for neglecting the weightier things of the law: Judgment, mercy and fidelity. He calls them blind guides who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel.
This reminded me of another place in the gospels where Jesus warned his disciple about seeing the speck in their brother’s eye and not being aware of the log in their own.
One of the great blessings in our efforts to live the monastic or contemplative way of life is the time it allows for us to explore the depths of our own hearts, to see the logs that may be there so as to make healthy judgments, to know how to show mercy and live with real fidelity.
1Thess 2:1-3a, 14-17; Matt 23:23-26