Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway
Many churches, and the great cathedrals in particular, are built of stone, which is a way of symbolizing the steadfastness and permanence of God. “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is an eternal rock”, says the prophet Isaiah (Is 26:4). He is always present, always with us, supporting us as the solid rock under our feet. The stone edifices erected throughout the world aim to reflect this spiritual reality.
When guests come to stay with us here at the monastery, they sometimes comment on the peace they experience in knowing that we’re always here, always praying the Divine Office. They come for a retreat, return to their daily life, and when they come again, they find us praising God as before. Day in and day out our prayer continues, anchored by our vow of stability to our community and love for God. In a world that is constantly changing, there is comfort in knowing that even in the midst of society’s unpredictability, a monk or nun’s life of prayer remains the same.
The constancy of our monastic life is, as the stone which makes up our place of worship, a sign of God’s presence. It is a product of his very own constancy, of the continuous flow of grace which supports us. He is the Faithful One, and we hope to be a reflection of his faithful love for all people.
Leave a Reply