Tuesday, February 3, 2015

And Our Monastery is.....

The Monastery of a cloistered heart is the person's own life.  A monastery is a place consecrated to God, a place of prayer, a place where God is loved and served.  Our lives can be all of these things.  Just as any building can become a monastery by being dedicated to God, so our lives can become "monasteries" by such dedication. 

This is more than a nice daydream.  It is simply truth.  

"Even now we are called to be a dwelling for the Most Holy Trinity.  'If a man loves Me,' says the Lord, 'he will keep My word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.' (John 14:23)"  (Catechism of the Catholic Church #260)

"O my God.... grant my soul peace.  Make it Your heaven, Your beloved dwelling, and Your place of rest.  May I never abandon You there, but may I be there, whole and entire, completely vigilant in my faith, entirely adoring, and wholly given over to Your creative action."  (St. Elizabeth of the Trinity)

As imperfect as we are, Our Lord actually desires to live within us.

Imagine.

Text not in quotes © 2012 Nancy Shuman. 
thecloisteredheart.org   

Painting: Fritz von Wille, in US public domain due to age
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2 comments:

  1. The Mad-Eyed MonkFebruary 9, 2015 at 7:49 AM

    Love this painting. The blue and pale sky with the few stars of evening (or morning?) and the gold of the doorway bringing the viewer down the walkway to the monastery is wonderful. Again, I can feel all the stone. I love St Elizabeth's prayer for God making our soul his heaven. Lovely. Thank you Nancy.

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    Replies
    1. Nancy ShumanFebruary 9, 2015 at 3:42 PM

      I'm glad you like the painting also.... I am so drawn in by it. Would like to go visit there for a little while :) !

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