Mtr Taylor Devine

Dear friend,

Today I will say some extra prayers for the Saint Philip’s pilgrims who are journeying to the Holy Land by bus, plane, and on foot over the next week and a half. For traveling safety, for eyes to see, ears to hear, for bonds to grow in strength, I will pray. And for those of us here, seeing our day to day view, hearing our day to day sounds, I’ll also pray for a spirit of pilgrimage. This quote from author Mary Earle speaks to what I mean:

“All of life is an ascetical practice. What do I mean by that? Very simply, I mean that the entire fabric of our lives is woven together with God’s life. There is no moment, no hour, no day when God is not with us. The ascetical practice for those of us who are not monastics, while of the same Spirit, is different in expression. We are called upon to practice love in the lives we already live. We are invited to be alert for the opportunity to notice the Presence that is with us every moment, in every place. We are invited to bring a different intention to our relationships, to our work, to our leisure.”
-Mary C. Earle, The Desert Mothers, p. 69

Monastics, pilgrims, and people on the Way at home, we are all called to “practice love in the lives we already live.” The disciples in the dark night, setting out on a boat journey, feared because Jesus had not come to them after his feeding of the multitude-they wanted to make sure there was more. More food, more relationship, more possibility to know him. He walks toward them (on water!), and assures them "It is I; do not be afraid." Recognizing life as a practice in the way of Love teaches us day by day that that the water will hold, that Jesus will come, and that though pilgrims we may be, we are on our way into the heart of a living God.

In Christ,
Mtr. Taylor