In her book, The Monastery of the Heart, Sr. Joan Chittister said “Benedictine spirituality requires careful listening and responding to the Word of God, to the call of the Jesus who leads us, and to the call of the community, that is the foundation of our spiritual life.” As a Benedictine Oblate of a monastery, I do listen to the guidance and call of the community of which I made my profession but it’s not the same way as a religious sister of that monastery. I can do what I want each day and work where I want. But as a Catholic Christian woman, I do try my best to listen and respond to the Word of God proclaimed each day in the scripture readings during daily Mass or for my personal reflection.

Today’s Gospel Reading reminds us that we don’t have to be afraid, we are seen, known and loved. Why then, do we have sleepless nights? Why do we spend hours imagining the worse scenarios in situations that we don’t have any control over? You wouldn’t believe some of the things I have worried about at 2 a.m. each morning this past week! They weren’t even concerns in my life, events that I cannot possibly impact the outcome of. Fortunately at some point I turned the worry into prayer over those impacted.

Fr. Paul Sheller’s comments for Conception Abbey’s Scripture Reflection for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, for their Online Spiritual Journey series, quoted Trappist Monk and author, Dom Eugene Boylon saying “But Jesus also saw clearly that the only obstacle to the achievement of His cherished purpose for me was my own refusal to trust Him, to believe Him, to cast all my cares upon Him, to take Him at His word.” Whether a spiritual vocation, a decision regarding how to spend time or when reflecting on the meaning of daily Scripture, the suggestion that I am refusing to trust Jesus and cast my cares on God is one I am going to reflect on this week.

I wonder if some of you are feeling the same way. How might we trust in God more this week?

Peace, Deena

Photo: a finch in my flower garden a couple of years ago, trusting the seed they want will be there.