This is Ash Wednesday. On this day, at Evening Prayer, the Prioress reads this chapter of the Holy Rule each year, and gives a reflection, encouraging the community to put themselves to the work of preparing for Easter.
(This chapter could guide the instructions of the leader of every household of the faith on this day annually.)
“The monastic life should always be a Lenten observance. However, since few have such strength, we urge that during these days of Lent the entire community keep the purity of their manner of life and wash away during this holy season the negligences of other times. We can do this worthily by restraining all evil habits and devoting ourselves to tearful prayer, reading, compunction of heart, and self-denial.
During these days, therefore, let us add something to the usual amount of our service, private prayer, and abstinence from food and drink so that each one will have something above the prescribed measure to offer to God in free will “with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1Thess 1:6). Let them deny themselves some food, drink, sleep, needless talking or jesting, and look forward to holy Easter with the joy of spiritual longing.
Let each one, however, make known to the superior what is being offered and let it be done with blessing and approval. For whatever is done without permission of the spiritual leader will be counted as presumption and vainglory, not reward. Therefore, everything should be done with the approval of the superior.”
Following the Prioress’ reflections and at the completion of Evening Prayer, we receive a form to be completed before Evening Prayer on Saturday evening. Then the completed resolution forms will be blessed, having been signed by the Prioress.
This is a sample of the resolutions we are asked to commit ourselves to:
– During this Lent I will abstain/fast/deny myself:
– My additional Prayer:
– My works of love and charity:
– What areas of monastic living am I open to examine and reset?
– My Lenten book is:
One of the ordinary ways we pray the scriptures either alone or in groups is called “lectio divina.” Not the study of scripture, but the praying of a short section and listening for what God is calling us to through that verse or section. As I was looking ahead to the first Sunday of Lent, the Gospel caught my eye. Mark 1:15 was the first of The Most Important Words of Jesus that was researched by Gerhard Lohfink in the book I just completed by that title. Just after Jesus leaves his time in the desert, he proclams, “The time is fulfilled, and the reign of God has come near. Repent and believe this Gospel.” What a very special message for our lectio divina for the first Sunday of Lent. Jesus knew what his mission was, and set about helping others, especially the twelve he soon gathered around him, to open themselves to the reign of God in their midst. We are those disciples today.
Let us use all the helps at out disposal to hear God’s Word, serve those around us, and look forward to holy Easter with the joy of spiritual longing.
–Sr. Mary Tewes, OSB
(The Most Important Words of Jesus, Gerhard Lohfink, Liturgical Press, 2023