Ora et Labora

    One of the few phrases in Latin that I remember is ora et labora – “prayer and work”.  I first bumped up against this organizing principle of monastic life at Richmond Hill, where I go on retreat.  I am impressed and challenged by this balanced way of living.  Each of the sisters, Mary and Martha, appear to represent one side or the other.  Personally, I have found it hard to keep such a balance.  I have also noticed that the congregations I work with find it difficult as well.  We do quite well with “doing.”  We strategize, form committees, volunteer, go to meetings, use a corporate model for making decisions, draw flow charts, and all such manner of things.  At the same time, we don’t do as well “being” present to each other and to our Lord.  I sometimes wonder what life would be like if we practiced the discipline of ora et labora. 

Lord, let my prayers guide my work and my work lead into my prayers.  Amen.

How Each Apostle Died

I have always been captivated by what the Apostles sacrificed for the sake of Jesus. Tradition tells us that Matthew suffered martyrdom by being slain with a sword at Ethiopia.  Mark died at Alexandria, after being cruelly dragged through the streets.  Luke was hanged on an olive tree in Greece.  John was put in a caldron of boiling oil, but escaped death miraculously and was banished to Patmos.  Peter was crucified upside down in Rome.  James, the Greater, was beheaded at Jerusalem.  James, the Less, was thrown from the pinnacle of the temple and then beaten to death with a fuller's club.  Bartholomew was flayed alive.  Andrew was bound to a cross, from which he preached to his persecutors until he died.  Thomas was run through the body with a lance in the East Indies.  Jude was shot to death with arrows.  Matthias was first stoned and then beheaded.  Barnabas of the Gentiles was stoned to death at Salonica.  Paul, after various tortures and persecutions, was beheaded at Rome by the Emperor Nero.

What sacrifice are we making for Jesus?  We may not be asked to die for our faith, but how are we living our faith?  Pray that God might bless your journey with him this week.

Prayer Unanswered?

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve . . .

   I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do great things . . .

   I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy . . .

   I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of others . . .

   I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life . . .

   I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for . . .

   But everything that I hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered . . .

   I am among all people most richly blessed.  Amen.

(found in the clothing of an unknown Civil War soldier)