Benedictine Monks make vows of obedience, stability, and “conversion of manners,” the latter meaning fidelity to the monastic way of life with all its practices. The practices — study, prayers, community living — are all aimed at one goal, the quest for the Divine. The vows of conversion and fidelity are continuing and dynamic, something to be personally elected day by day. Every day, moment by moment, situation by situation, the choice is made to keep one’s heart open to G_d and His service, open to neighbor, and open to self.

Moment by moment, the options for service to G_d and neighbor are preferred over the option for ego and self, but all are necessary to keep it personal. Conversion of manners is not once-and-done. If it were, the vows might grow stale. Most vow-takers face the same challenge of refreshing their commitment over and over. There is no reason to think that the intentionality of monastic living is a less distracted search for the face of G_d than a life where one is married, raising a family, learning and serving in a school, living a disciplined and virtuous life, working in a vocation that provides meaning, or experiencing the sacred in ordinary daily existence.

G_d had given laws and plans to Moses, and to the people, knowing there would be successes and failures. He confirmed this with Jeremiah, “… I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their G_d, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another…”Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest…for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.” From moment of Creation, G_d’s desire was for our hearts. He had given us our hands and heads knowing there were opportunity for service with these, but worship and fidelity could only come from the heart. Jesus knew this as well. The human side of Jesus, although actively involved in the new covenant, might have experienced a setback, a human failure, as he approached the scary end of his earthly mission. “”Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say– `Father, save me from this hour’?” But his Divinity in the new covenant reminded, “No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.”

The new covenant is not the same as the old, but new and old are each drawn from the deep providence of G_d. What is old and fulfilled, may be renewed and recalled, rediscovered and re-commissioned. Due to our ego, we likely are unable to forget sins and iniquity, but like the Divine, we do have the ability to forgive, and begin anew, both personally and communally. Be not afraid. G_d is near you, and you can arise new with him. Our call to repentance is not a vindictive condemnation of our fallen condition, but is a Divine invitation to start again. Being quick to forgive, easily brought to joy and laughter, we reach a critical junction in our lives where Christ’s sacrifice for us, becomes our foundation for service for others.

Jesus would guide our hands and head, and would dwell in our heart, a heart now worthy of His unmerited grace. In this communion our lives become holy vows. For most, our “conversion of manners” takes place outside the walls of a monastery. Our happy triumphs are found in our homes, in our schools, and in our work. Renewal and revitalization in every moment of our lives. Lives shouting and displaying to Heaven, and to the world, how we love one another.

Pax,
jbt