Mtr Taylor Devine

Dear friend,

The Desert Mothers and Fathers were the early monastics in the 2nd century in desert places like the outskirts of Egyptian cities. These people were laying the groundwork of monasticism that would become one way to offer one’s life back to God. There is a tradition passed down from those times of sharing wise statements learned from living out the faith in harsh circumstances, like:
-We carry ourselves wherever we go and cannot escape temptation by mere flight.
-Go to your cell and your cell will teach you everything.

Today’s reading from Jeremiah* reminded me of these, as it seems to say "be where you are." Let where are you are inform you, allow yourself to grow and change within the circumstances of your life. I wonder if this might be too literal or direct of a reading of what these words say, but I think there is something to this as we get ready for Holy Week.

On Palm Sunday enjoy the procession, and recognize the discomfort we live in as we participate in the liturgy. Be where you are on the journey, on Wednesday at Tenebrae be drawn in by candles and scripture. On Maundy Thursday be present to the night when the disciples' feet were washed by Jesus. As you mourn on Good Friday, be there. In the emptiness of Holy Saturday, be. Be where you are at the Holy Vigil of Easter, with the stories of the generations, with the new fire, with the bell ringing out the news. In the joy of Easter morning, be there.

As it says in the Exsultet at the Vigil of Easter, "This is the night," we are beckoned into the past and present reality of Christ's passion. This is a place to be and to become, and this is the week where "going to your monastic cell," being your self in this place, where these practices will be places of transforming grace. Be there, and know that God is too.

In Christ,
Taylor

*Jeremiah 29:4-7