Last weekend I celebrated one year of solemn vows as a Benedictine: vows of stability, obedience, and conversion of life. But what does this mean for a monastic who lives life in the world, rather than in a cloistered community: working a job, paying rent, cooking meals, paying taxes, etc? A traditional monastic may be devoid of personal possessions, but the cloister provides shelter, clothing, food, and safety, so that those within its walls may be free to pray without ceasing, serve generously, love abundantly. So, what does it mean to live out these same vows outside of the cloister? To be part of the world in order to fulfil your vocational call? Ultimately, the goal is the same, though the means are different. As one beautiful card I received at my vows ceremony put it, “I am not my own. I have given myself to Jesus. He must be my only love.”

Although I must work, pay my bills, do groceries, exercise, study, sleep, etc, I do all of that so I may fulfil the vocation God has called me to. I care for my body, my life, my spirit, not for my own sake, but so that I may serve the Gospel and the Church; so that (just as with my brothers and sisters who live in cloistered community) I may pray without ceasing, love abundantly, and serve generously. I am not my own; I belong to Jesus.

Today as we walk with Jesus in triumph through Jerusalem, and then through his agony and death on the cross, we might ponder anew what it means to pattern our lives after his, in a world so different from the one he experienced. Like us, Jesus needed shelter, food, sleep, rest… he had family and friends; he even paid taxes. Although he did not belong to this world, he lived in it, for our sake… and gave up his life, for our sake.

Neither do we belong to this world, but we must live in it, for Jesus’s sake: caring for body, mind, and spirit so that we may offer what we have in service of the Gospel. As we walk with Jesus through this Holy Week, may we find fresh strength in giving of ourselves however we are called in our various roles. May we each be grateful for the gifts of this life while holding lightly to them, being willing to say with Jesus when the time comes, “Not my will, Lord, but thine be done.”

Mother Amanda

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