conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

missive

Good morning.

I have been thinking about monasticism and the American political system. I wonder what monasticism has to offer politics. Yes, I know that monastics can be political and shape thin thinking of politicians. But that is not what I am talking about.

How does the prayer life of monastics shape the world?
How can the discipline of monastic life shape political disciplines?

Maybe there is no clear connection or no Great Learning available in this thinking, but I will spend some time pondering it today while I am at my temp assignment.

Peace.

missive continued: I am thinking about vows.

In obedience a Franciscan not only promises to obey his legitimate superiors in the Order in everything that is explicitly contained in the Rule and Norms of the community, but also obliges himself to do whatsoever the superior might command him so long as it is something good and licit. By this vow, the Franciscan religious obtains a childlike purity of heart which makes him pleasing to God and offers God the greatest of all sacrifices, that of his entire free will.

In poverty a Franciscan not only renounces the ownership of all possessions, giving them to the poor, and promises to live a communal life with his fellow religious, but he entrusts his life to God's providence and accepts only the use of necessary things. As such Franciscans traditionally own no property, either personally nor as a community, nor do they own or use money or financial instruments or investments. They rely entirely upon the charity of the faithful in everything, accepting the use of things and consumables in exchange for their manual labor.

In chastity a Franciscan not only renounces the goods of marriage, but also promises to avoid all familiarity with women, as well as every interior and exterior act which is against virginal purity. By this vow the Franciscan religious, while on earth, takes on the angelic life of purity which is the life of all the saints in Heaven.

-or-

"Conversatio" (conversation): Living one's life as if it were a conversation with God, in a commitment to personal spiritual disciplines.

"Stabilitas" (stability): Living one's life in, of, and for metropolitan Richmond, in a commitment to this place as the locus of one's fundamental duty to be a part of the bringing in of the reign of God.

Obedience: Living one's life in response to God's will, in a commitment to the mission of the community.

Hospitality: Living one's life in service of others, in a commitment to welcome guests in love and a spirit of prayer.

Healing: Living one's life in hope for wholeness, in a commitment to inner healing and healing of the larger community of metropolitan Richmond.

Prayer: Living one's life in the presence of God, in a commitment to private, corporate, and intercessory prayer for metropolitan Richmond.

Racial reconciliation: Living one's life in attention to the particular wounds of race in metropolitan Richmond, in a commitment to racial reconciliation.

Community: Living one's life as life together, in a commitment to shared mission and a common life.

"Laborare et orare" (to work and to pray): Living one's life in a rhythm of work, prayer, and restoration, in a commitment to a thoughtful life-style.

Simplicity: Living one's life without excess, in a commitment to a modest use of resources that resists greed and consumerism.

Humility: Living one's life in perspective, in a commitment to assess and honor one's own gifts and those of others.

Ecumenism: Living one's life in fidelity to Jesus Christ, in a commitment to honor all expressions of Christian faith and in openness to other religions and faiths.

Christian social transformation: Living one's life for others, in a commitment to join spiritual practices with social justice in metropolitan Richmond. - Richmond Hill Rule of Life

These are but two examples of the vows that monastics may take. I just thought I'd add this to give you guys some sense of how I am thinking.

Posted by tripp at December 12, 2005 07:51 AM