Disputation of the Holy Sacrament (Raphael)
This week our twin community of monks, St. Mary’s Monastery, is hosting a brother monk from their motherhouse, Pluscarden Abbey in Scotland. It is a special joy to be reminded of the “interconnectedness” of the Benedictine family in such a concrete way, knowing that there are monks and nuns all over the world praying as we do. Living the Rule of St. Benedict, chanting the Divine Office, seeking God with singleness of purpose: all of these elements make a monk or nun feel right at home in any Benedictine monastery, whatever the location may be.
Receiving visitors from other monasteries also helps to strengthen and confirm our faith. We all know that the Divine Office is prayed throughout the world, and what an amazing reality that is! But there are times that we forget the body of the Church to whom we are united in Christ, and to be reminded of that beautiful truth is, well, a touch of heaven. How incredible it will be when all the invisible realities will be made visible—the choirs of angels, all the saints of ages past, and all the members of the Church spread throughout the world—when in heaven we will all be singing God’s praises together!
Leave a Reply