His Refuge

Painting: Marianne Stokes

Revisiting Bethany

I was seven years old when I learned I had a soul.  This was where Jesus would come when I received Holy Communion, and I was to prepare the place carefully.  Sweep it clean and tidy, Sister instructed; no sin allowed.  

I pictured this item of my personhood quite vividly.  I saw it as oval shaped, pearly white, and resting in the center of my chest.  A venial sin would spot it, a mortal sin (heaven forbid) would turn it black as a lump of coal.  It was like a little house inside me, where Jesus could come and rest.

I’m now many years past seven.  I no longer envision a white oval, shining like a pearl.  I do, however, marvel at the truth embedded in this simple childhood picture. “Here I stand, knocking at the door.  If anyone hears Me calling and opens the door, I will enter his house and have supper with Him, and he with Me.”  (Revelation 3:20)

What an astonishing reality.  There really IS a dwelling place inside me, set aside for God Himself.  A cloister of the heart, a sanctuary.  And it’s not a refuge for me alone. 

In the days when He walked the earth, Jesus found places of refuge.  Certainly He was in need of them, as He was hunted down, mocked, misunderstood, beaten, spat upon, and finally killed.  He found refuge in a womb, a manger, the arms of Mary and Joseph, with friends, and in a little house in Bethany. In such places Jesus was cared about and loved.

As we know, misunderstanding of Jesus did not cease with His crucifixion. The world has never, as a whole, reached out to embrace Christ and His teachings.  He is still “spat upon.” He’s discounted, laughed at, shunned in various ways – often before our eyes.  I may hear Him mocked this very day..  or dismissed as unimportant.  I might hear His Name used as a swear word. 

If that happens, can I remember to take a moment to offer a prayer of praise and love to Him in the solitude of my heart? 

“A cloistered heart accepts God’s grace to love Jesus Christ in the midst of a world that does not love Him; to embrace His will in a world which does not embrace it.  Thus the cloistered heart becomes a place of refuge not only for us, but for Christ Himself.  To create such a refuge is a primary part of the cloistered heart’s apostolate.” (© The Cloistered Heart)

"Make my soul…Your cherished dwelling place, Your home of rest.  Let me never leave You there alone, but keep me there all absorbed in You, in living faith, adoring You.”  (Elizabeth of the Trinity)

"I want to repose in your heart, because many souls have thrown Me out of their hearts today." (Jesus to St. Faustina)

"I try always to be a Bethany for Jesus, so that He may rest here." (St. Faustina) 

This is a repost from our archives. It is linked to Reconciled to You and Theology is a Verb for 'It's Worth Revisiting Wednesday.'  

Painting: Semiradsky, Christ, Martha, Maria

thecloisteredheart.org      

O God, Forgotten By Many

"I fear there are few souls who constantly remember the Indwelling Holy Spirit. Far too few, indeed! 

Here and there, a great saint; now and again, some simple, loving, obscure disciple. But by the many, He is neglected and forgotten...

But the consciousness of that Divine Presence in the soul, the gracious influence of the Indwelling Spirit, make those who remember grow steadily more and more like You. In their lives, one sees ordinary men and women reflecting the sublime beauty, and the splendid wisdom, and the perfect holiness, which belong to God Himself. 

O God! forgotten by so many, I will strive to remember You....

What a long series of claims You have upon my loyalty, You, Who made me! Who redeemed me! Who saved me not once, but repeatedly, from the fatal consequences of my own foolish and wicked conduct....

Help me, dear Lord, to find a lasting source of joy in the thought of Your Presence within me! 

Help me to keep the eyes of my soul opened, and the ears of my soul unstopped, so that, from morning until night, I may be always on the alert to please You by doing Your Will. May I always say, like little Samuel, 'Speak, Lord! Thy servant heareth.'"

(from The Living Pyx of Jesus by A Religious, Pelligrini, 1941, pp. 203-204

Painting: Herbert James Draper, The Golden Rays

Carry Him

'Carry Christ everywhere in your hearts. Make your souls monstrances,  

and go into places where Our Lord has never been adored in the Host, 

where the monstrance has never been lifted up.'

Caryll Houselander, 'The Passion of the Infant Christ'

His Shelter

His Garden of Delights

'You are an enclosed garden, My sister, My bride, 
an enclosed garden, a fountain sealed.' (Song of Songs 4:12)

Our Refuge for Christ

Here is My Heart

Painting: Nikolai Ge, 'Maria, Sister of Lazarus, Meets Jesus Who is Going to Their House.' Digitally altered.

And That's What It's All About

This Bears Repeating

 
   
      A cloistered heart accepts God’s grace to love Jesus Christ 
      in the midst of a world that does not love Him,
      to embrace His will in a world which does not embrace it.
      Thus the cloistered heart becomes a place of refuge
      not only for us, but for Christ Himself.
      To create such a refuge is a primary part of
      the cloistered heart’s apostolate. 

    

© 1996 Nancy Shuman
 thecloisteredheart.org    

To Be A Bethany

I was seven years old when I learned I had a soul.  This was where Jesus would come when I received Holy Communion, and I was to prepare the place carefully.  Sweep it clean and tidy, Sister instructed; no sin allowed.  

I pictured this item of my personhood quite vividly.  I saw it as oval shaped, pearly white, and resting in the center of my chest.  A venial sin would spot it, a mortal sin (heaven forbid) would turn it black as a lump of coal.  It was like a little house inside me, where Jesus could come and rest.

I’m now many years past seven.  I no longer envision a white oval, shining like a pearl.  I do, however, marvel at the truth embedded in this simple childhood picture. “Here I stand, knocking at the door.  If anyone hears Me calling and opens the door, I will enter his house and have supper with Him, and he with Me.”  (Revelation 3:20)

“Anyone who loves Me will be true to My word, and My Father will love him; We will come to him and make our dwelling place with him.”  (John 14:22)

What an astonishing reality.  There really IS a dwelling place inside me, set aside for God Himself.  A cloister of the heart, a sanctuary.  And it’s not a refuge for me alone. 

In the days when He walked the earth, Jesus found places of refuge.  Certainly He was in need of them, as He was hunted down, mocked, misunderstood, beaten, spat upon, and finally killed.  He found refuge in a womb, a manger, the arms of Mary and Joseph, with friends, and in a little house in Bethany.  In such places Jesus was cared about and loved.

As we know, misunderstanding of Jesus did not cease with His crucifixion.  The world has never, as a whole, reached out to embrace Christ and His teachings.  He is still “spat upon.” He’s discounted, laughed at, shunned in various ways – often before our eyes.  I may hear Him mocked this very day..  or dismissed as unimportant.  I might hear His Name used as a swear word. 

If that happens, can I remember to take a moment to offer a prayer of praise and love to Him in the solitude of my heart? 

“A cloistered heart accepts God’s grace to love Jesus Christ in the midst of a world that does not love Him; to embrace His will in a world which does not embrace it.  Thus the cloistered heart becomes a place of refuge not only for us, but for Christ Himself.  To create such a refuge is a primary part of the cloistered heart’s apostolate.” (from The Cloistered Heart (book)

“Jesus, here is my heart; let it be a little cozy resting place for yourself.”  (St. Faustina)

“Make my soul…Your cherished dwelling place, Your home of rest.  Let me never leave You there alone, but keep me there all absorbed in You, in living faith, adoring You.”  (Elizabeth of the Trinity)

"I want to repose in your heart, because many souls have thrown Me out of their hearts today." (Jesus to St. Faustina)

"I try always to be a Bethany for Jesus, so that He may rest here." (St. Faustina) 

Painting: Semiradsky, Christ, Martha, Maria

(the above is a combination of earlier posts from this blog)
Text not in quotes © 2011 and 2015 Nancy Shuman.  All Rights Reserved.
thecloisteredheart.org      

Jesus, Here is my Heart

"I want to repose in your heart, because many souls have thrown Me out of their hearts today."  (Jesus to St. Faustina)

Imagine throwing Jesus Christ, my Lord and King and Savior, out of my heart!  Imagine Him living within me, and my suddenly saying one day: "I don't want You here, there's no room for You in my life anymore... here's the door."

Such a horrible thought.  It's tough for me to even write the words.   Yet, people push Jesus out of their hearts every minute.  Maybe not with full consciousness of what they're doing (although that does happen, of course).  But every time one of us makes a decision to ignore God's serious commands in favor of our own, Christ is being shown the door.  

How great is the mercy of Our Lord, for He persists, He comes back, He knocks and knocks again. 

"Here I stand, knocking at the door.  If anyone hears Me calling and opens the door, I will enter his house and have supper with Him, and he with Me.”  (Revelation 3:20)

In spite of His amazing persistence, there are some who never open (or re-open) the door.  It is a tragic, sobering thought. 

Is there anything I can do about this? 

I can pray intensely for those in whose hearts He is longing to dwell.  

I can share His love and mercy with those around me.

And, knowing He is unwelcome in the hearts of many, I can offer Him a place of loving refuge in my own.  

"I want to repose in your heart, because many souls have thrown Me out of their hearts today."  

Lord Jesus, here is my heart.  In it, may You find a refuge of love and praise.

Painting: Carl Bloch, Christ and Child, detail

This is a slightly edited version of a post from our archives.  Coming across it again today, I was again pierced by Our Lord's words to Sister Faustina.  As we approach the great feast of Divine Mercy, I pray that many hearts will welcome the One Who is Mercy and Love.  

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A Primary Apostolate

'A cloistered heart
accepts God’s grace
to love Jesus Christ
in the midst of a world
that does not love Him;
to embrace His will
in a world which
does not embrace it.
Thus the cloistered heart
becomes a place of refuge
not only for us,
but for Christ Himself.
To create such a refuge
is a primary part of
the cloistered heart’s apostolate.'

(from book The Cloistered Heart, NS)

public domain photo

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For the Divine Outcast, a Home

I have set aside yesterday's reading in favor of a book that will be returning, tomorrow, to its owner.  Today I've tried to live, "several hours at at time," holy snippets of truth from Sheltering the Divine Outcast.  Again, the focus is on LIVING these words of wisdom as the day goes along. 

"Prayer!  The love of the soul for God!  The friendship of God with the soul!  Prayer is the greatest activity of the soul.  There is no occupation that can hinder this activity, unless the soul permits it.  It is a hidden power."  (p. 13)

I have had several things to do and schedule today.  I've managed some housework, done a bit of writing, dealt with a seasonal allergy attack.  In it all, I have reminded myself that no occupation can hinder prayer - unless I permit it.  I've asked myself, over and again:  am I giving my soul permission to abandon its "greatest activity?"  

Interestingly, giving up prayer is more of a temptation when I'm feeling sick and lazy than when I am outwardly busy.  Allergy attacks really throw me.  They can sometimes hit me like 'flu (that sounds dramatic, but it's not an exaggeration).  Do I expect myself to concentrate on prayer while my head pounds and my whole system feels drastically "unwell?"  No, of course not.  At least, not in the same way I might do otherwise.  But I can remind myself that no occupation - even that of lying back with a hammering skull - can keep me from having the intention of prayer.  I can "think" a mental aspiration no matter what my circumstances.   I can remember, even with a pounding head, that the thudding is outside the cloister of my heart. 

Prayer is a hidden power.  I think its power may be most hidden, at times, from the pray-er herself.    

Sheltering the Divine Outcast will go back to its owner tomorrow.  We have had a fruitful visit, this little book and I.  Like a squirrel storing up food for the winter, I expect to spend the rest of this evening just packing away more of its truth .... to be, one nugget at a time, LIVED.  

The book is leaving, but my sheltering is not over.  I pray to provide, for the Divine Outcast, a home. 

"The heart of a true servant of God is a Tabernacle where an unseen God constantly dwells." (p. 51)

"God reads our hearts and that is all He cares about.  He sees in a glance if there is room for Him there, and how much room we will give Him."  (p. 52)

"God chooses a 'Home' within us.  What about your house, your temple, your soul?  'Is it a den of thieves' or 'a house of prayer?'"  (p. 81)

"Do I retire from time to time, if only for a few seconds, into the inner sanctuary of my heart?  
What would Our Lord do now?
What answer would He give to this question?
How would He behave in my place?
What does He ask of me at this moment?
Such are the questions which will arise of their own accord in a soul eager for the interior life."  (p. 123)

(All quotes above are from Sheltering the Divine Outcast, compiled by A Religious, The Peter Reilly Co, Philadelphia, 1952)

Painting: František Dvořák, Thoughtful Reader

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To Sing This Day For God

Having begun my day in conversation with God, I remain in communion with Him wherever I go.  I can be a "portable monastery" - for what IS a monastery, after all, if not a place where God is loved and served and praised?

And so I go forward, into the swirl of life around me.  I go in gratitude, singing silent songs wherever the day may take me.  I carry along the fruits of lectio.

Within my heart, the hymn of praise goes on and on and on.

I am a walking monastery.  A dancing monastery.  A refuge of love for my Lord.

"David, girt with a linen apron, came dancing before the Lord with abandon, as he and all the Israelites were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the sound of the horn." (2 Samuel 6:14-15)











To continue "A Day of Lectio," click this line  

The Bell Again

Work continues in the monastery this morning.  Just as Sister Anne pours cheese sauce for dinner and Sister Jeanne explains the Order's history to a postulant, the bell rings. 

Sauce is covered swiftly with a cloth, a book is closed, and Sisters quickly gather in the chapel.  They seem to have sprung suddenly from everywhere, yet they come in silence.  Only the swish of habits and the muffled sounds of  footsteps can be heard.

The nuns enter easily into prayer, for they have never really left it.

The bell has signaled communal prayer again.  Nuns align themselves in an orderly fashion, in places assigned to them.  The transition from scrubbing to praying is seamless, as they bow to the One Who is their reason for being.  In the midst of a world swarming with those who do not know that God is the Reason for everything, the Sisters stand and proclaim this Truth.  They sing with all their hearts to Him; they chant and offer praise.

As we look around in our own world day by day, we may not find many who know that God is the Reason for being.  We may not live surrounded by others praising Him.

In this world where Jesus is not loved (for the most part), adored, thanked, glorified - we can be His praisers.

Think of it!

It's possible that in the office where you work, or in a grocery line, or in a dentist's waiting room, YOU could be the only person praying at any given time.  To think of this one thing has been a revolutionary idea for me. 

I can adore Our Lord wherever I may be!  I can sing to Him inwardly.  I can love Him in the cloister of my heart, in the very midst of a world where He is not loved. 

I may not go to a chapel in late morning.  But in the midst of daily duties, I can offer praise.

© 2012 Nancy Shuman.  All Rights Reserved.
thecloisteredheart.org    

To continue reading "Our Monastic Day," click this line

His Undivided Property

"In the home we prepare for Our Lord,

 it must be His own undivided property,

 consecrated and set apart for Him.

He must be our ALL - 

not merely a guest, a stranger, a passing visitor.  

Dearest Jesus!  Take full possession of me

 and live Your Own Life within me.

  Decide, arrange and settle everything in my life Yourself,

so that You will secure that I love You so tenderly,

so intensely, as to make up for all the years lost.

  Only You can do this, my loving God."

                            (from THE LIVING PYX OF JESUS, Pelligrini, Australia, 1941, pp. 209-210)

Enlighten the Dark Corners

"O Holy Spirit... descend into my heart!
Enlighten the dark corners 
of this neglected dwelling.
Dwell in that soul
that longs to be Your temple!
Water that barren soil,
overrun with weeds and briars 
and lost to fruitfulness
for want of cultivating.
Make it fruitful 
with Your gracious beams,
Your dew from heaven. 
O come, Refreshment of those
who languish and faint;
You only Haven
of the tossed and the shipwrecked!
Come, Holy Spirit, in much mercy!
Make me fit to receive you."
                                                           (St. Augustine)

Lord, Here is My Heart

"I want to repose in your heart, because many souls have thrown Me out of their hearts today."  (Jesus to St. Faustina)

Since typing the above words into yesterday's post, I cannot stop thinking about them.  Imagine throwing Jesus Christ, my Lord and King and Savior, out of my heart!  Imagine Him living within me, and my suddenly saying one day: "I don't want You here, there's no room for You in my life anymore... here's the door."

Such a horrible thought.  It's tough for me to even write the words.   Yet, people push Jesus out of their hearts every minute.  Maybe not with full consciousness of what they're doing (although that does happen, of course).  But every time one of us makes a decision to ignore God's serious commands in favor of our own, Christ is being shown the door.  

How great is the mercy of Our Lord, for He persists, He comes back, He knocks and knocks again. 

Here I stand, knocking at the door.  If anyone hears Me calling and opens the door, I will enter his house and have supper with Him, and he with Me.”  (Revelation 3:20)

In spite of His amazing persistence, however, there are some who never open (or re-open) the door.  It is a tragic, sobering thought.  As a "cloistered heart," I take Jesus' desire to find repose in hearts quite seriously.  I pray for the individuals in whose hearts He is longing to dwell.  

Primarily, knowing that He is unwelcome in the hearts of many, I offer Him a place of loving refuge in my own.  

"I want to repose in your heart, because many souls have thrown Me out of their hearts today."  

Lord Jesus, here is my heart.  In it, may You find a refuge of love and praise.

(for our earliest posts about creating a refuge for Jesus in our hearts, click here 
and here)

Text not in quotes © 2012 Nancy Shuman.  All Rights Reserved.
thecloisteredheart.org      

a refuge for Him

I was seven years old when I learned I had a soul.  This was where Jesus would come when I received Holy Communion, and I was to prepare the place carefully.  Sweep it clean and tidy, Sister instructed; no sin allowed.  I pictured this “item” of my personhood quite vividly.  I saw it as oval shaped, pearly white, and resting in the center of my chest.  A venial sin would spot it, a mortal sin (heaven forbid) would turn it black as a lump of coal.  It was like a little house inside me, where Jesus could come and rest.

I’m now many years past seven.  I no longer envision a white oval, shining like a pearl.  I do, however, marvel at the truth embedded in this simple childhood picture. “Here I stand, knocking at the door.  If anyone hears Me calling and opens the door, I will enter his house and have supper with Him, and he with Me.”  (Revelation 3:20)

“Anyone who loves Me will be true to My word, and My Father will love him; We will come to him and make our dwelling place with him.”  (John 14:22)

What an astonishing reality.  There really IS a dwelling place inside me, set aside for God Himself.  A cloister of the heart, a sanctuary.  And it’s not a refuge for me alone. 

In the days when He walked the earth, Jesus found places of refuge.  Certainly He was in need of them, as He was hunted down, mocked, misunderstood, beaten, spat upon, and finally killed.  He found refuge in a womb, a manger, the arms of Mary and Joseph, with friends, and in a little house in Bethany.  In such places Jesus was cared about and loved.

As we know, misunderstanding of Jesus did not cease with His crucifixion.  The world has never, as a whole, reached out to embrace Christ and His teachings.  He is still “spat upon.” He’s discounted, laughed at, shunned in various ways – often before our eyes.  I may hear Him mocked this very day..  or dismissed as unimportant.  I might hear His Name used as a swear word. 

If that happens, can I remember to take a moment to offer a prayer of praise and love to Him in the solitude of my heart? 

“A cloistered heart accepts God’s grace to love Jesus Christ in the midst of a world that does not love Him; to embrace His will in a world which does not embrace it.  Thus the cloistered heart becomes a place of refuge not only for us, but for Christ Himself.  To create such a refuge is a primary part of the cloistered heart’s apostolate.” (from The Cloistered Heart (book), NS)

“Jesus, here is my heart; let it be a little cozy resting place for yourself.”  (St. Faustina)

“Make my soul…Your cherished dwelling place, Your home of rest.  Let me never leave You there alone, but keep me there all absorbed in You, in living faith, adoring You.”  (Elizabeth of the Trinity)

May we take every opportunity to embrace Christ in the refuge of our hearts – today.

© 2011 Nancy Shuman
thecloisteredheart.org