Lessons from the monks

With the ear of the heart

Last weekend, I shared the news of the most recent clergy appointments announced for our diocese, and I also shared with you a word of wisdom from one of my colleagues who once commented that the period of transition is often the time when we learn how to pray.

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Then as now, this advice refers to the fact that for every human being, there are periods in our lives where we experience change, times when the routines of our lives are disrupted, moments when we are truly not at peace within ourselves.  At times such as these we can truly feel like boats without rudders, or as the gospel says today, sheep without shepherds.  Yet, at times such as these we truly learn to appreciate the importance of prayer, for it is at times such as these that we learn to listen carefully to the master’s instructions and to attend to them with the ear of our heart (Prologue to the Rule of Saint Benedict of Nursia).

Listening with the ear of the heart allows us to hear the voice of Jesus, the master who summons us here each week.  It is He who raises up shepherds to tend his flock.  It is He who has compassion for us when we are lost and stumbling like sheep without shepherds.  It is He who is always ready and willing to teach us many things.  Listen carefully then for the master’s instructions and attend to them with the ear of your heart so that we may learn the lessons he wants to teach, and so that we may be aware of His peace.