As we continue Lent, I would like once again to share with you one of my favorite stories on forgiveness— An older man was sitting comfortably in the commuter train quietly reading his morning newspaper when he felt a sudden tap on his shoulder, and turned to see a young man who had gently scooted into the vacant seat beside him. “Pardon me, sir,” said the young man shyly, “I’m sorry to disturb you, but may I ask you for a favor? You see, the next stop of this train that we will be reaching in a few minutes is my hometown. I left it years ago after a terrible fight with my folks in which I had said some pretty awful and hurtful things and haven’t spoken with them or been back since. A few days ago though I wrote them a letter telling them that I would be passing by this way and, if they could find it in their heart to forgive me, to tie a yellow ribbon on the old elm tree at the train depot and I would know that they wanted to see me again. Please sir, could I ask you to look out the window for me and tell me if the ribbon is there? I just can’t bear to look.” Just as the young man finished his request the train pulled into the station, and the older man looked out the window and beamed a wide smile to the young man. “You have nothing to fear, you have to see this!” he said, pointing out the window: there, at the depot, was an elm tree with a yellow ribbon tied to EVERY SINGLE BRANCH, the whole tree was covered with ribbons! You see, the parents had been afraid that if there was only one he might have missed it.
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Dear brothers and sisters, could this also be the reason why on the tree of the cross Our Jesus’ whole body is covered with wounds from head to foot? When you hear the story of the Passion at Mass in Holy Week please know that Jesus is the Great Sign you were looking for of how much you are wanted and loved.
Prayers and Blessings in Our Lord and Lady,

Br. Christopher

#forgiveness #yellowribbon #Lent #Jesus #Passion #monksofvina #NewClairvaux #Trappist #Cistercian #Benedictine #MonkLife #Vina #monks

A sharing from Fr. Thomas on a form of monastic meditation very appropriate for Lent: “Back in 1952 as a novice in the Abbey of Gethsemani, I first came to hear of the monastic bishop, Isaac of Nineveh (c 613 – c 700). Since then, I’ve dipped into Isaac from time to time. He speaks of two forms of meditation. One is simply reflecting on any aspect of the life of Christ. He refers to aspects of the life of Christ as mysteries. That the Second Person of the Holy Trinity should take on a human nature and go to the extent of a passion and death on the cross is, indeed, a mystery. This kind of meditation opens our inner life and our will to the Incarnate Word of God by giving us an awareness and even a sensitivity to a life lived in Christ. Such a type of meditation can be prayed anywhere and at any time. The second form is a pure grace coming from God, when and as God chooses to grant it. This action of the Holy Spirit bestows a brief insight or moment of intuition about one or other of these divine mysteries. The seasons of Lent and Easter are ideal opportunities for such reflections.”

Lenten Blessings from your brothers of New Clairvaux!

#Isaac #meditation #Gethsemani #Christ #mysteries #Incarnation #God #Lent #Trinity #WordofGod #reflections #monks #trappist #abbey

A message of Importance from Br. Christopher: “Do not put a limit on the importance of each little act, each little prayer. We have the temptation to succumb to a human way of thinking about prayer: that a little cause equals a little effect. However in prayer this is not true. The effect is measured rather by the One we pray to: Unlimited Grace! Each little prayer is like putting a little hole in a dam, but behind the dam is the full power of the overflowing ocean of grace that will burst through!

Just to offer the briefest benediction toward someone passing by, even just an interior “God bless him/her!” unleashes graces we cannot fathom or follow. Please, be generous with little prayers this Lent, let them fly like holy arrows of goodness at every turn! Every prayer, every turning to God, fuels the renewal of the world.

Wishing you all blessing and grace,

Your brothers of New Clairvaux

#prayer #Lent #importance #CauseandEffect #Grace #God #benediction #goodness #Trappists #monks #NewClairvaux #monastery #abbey