The Cistercian Monks have been praying for the world since 1098. Seven times a day, seven days a week for over 900 years someone has been praying. In 1848, a small group of Cistercians traveled from France to the hills of central Kentucky and established Gethsemani Abbey. From that first day on December 22, 1848 they have prayed 7 times a day, 7 days a week. Their day begins in the dark, at 3:15 am, with Vigils and ends with Compline at 7:30 pm. For over 150 years, in this sleepy valley of Kentucky, they have followed the Rule of St. Benedict to pray and work in obedience and humility. When the famous spiritual writer and Cistercian brother, Thomas Merton, came to Gethsemani in 1941 he exclaimed, "So this is what has been holding the universe together!" (Check my pics for pictures of the Abbey.) And the praying continues.
Yesterday, I had to privilege of joining them in their abbey for prayer. The air was filled with incense. The silence of the sanctuary was almost overwhelming. It's surprising to see them, at first, their robes a stark white with a black cowl overlay, a sturdy leather belt at their waist. They are an anachronism. It was difficult to realize, in that vast white sanctuary, it wasn't 1848 but 2008.
The monks moved silently into their places in the choir. The Abbot took his place in the center. At his signal, they began to sing. At first it seemed alien, something from a distance place and time, certainly not a part of this generation of internet and mobile phones. Their praying of the psalms was deliberate, slow paced and placid, almost laborious, but this was a different labor, a labor of love.
It wasn't until the Compline service that I was able to let go of the world and enter into the spirit of prayer with them and then... if only for an instant... there was a moment of complete transcendence: a moment of holy breath so complete and beautiful I was lost in it. And then it was gone. I began to wonder if that is what it is like for those 40 monks every time they pray or if they like the rest of us have their moments when prayer is just going through the motions, hoping God is listening but not really sure. Just as silently they filed out, another day completed. Tomorrow would come quickly.
While at Gethsemani I practiced resting in the Lord. I let God have the day and received whatever came my way. And I came away refreshed and wishing that I could feel that same sense of consolation and assurance every hour of every day. I wondered how I might slow down my days to listen more intently and rest in the mystery of God. I also came away from my experience at Gethsemani glad to know that someone, somewhere, every hour of every day is praying for humanity. I will rest more completely tonight knowing that although I need to be in God's presence...I certainly don't need to do it all. There is a group of 40 monks "holding the universe together" in Kentucky, I only need do my small part.
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