Always We Begin Again

On Ash Wednesday all worshipers at Holy Trinity received a free copy of the book, “Always We Begin Again,” along with a study guide and an “identity tag” necklace.  The metal tag displayed the words “Walking the Way” and Micah 6:8.

In place of a prepared message I introduced “Always” asking those present to open their books, follow along, and make some notes.  I introduced Benedict, McQuiston, the First Rule, prayer methods and McQuiston’s suggested daily schedule designed to help us balance prayer and work.  We moved so quickly it felt as though an electric fan was gently blowing and turning the pages. I asked everyone (along with me) to take a breath before I concluded, “This is not a ‘have to’ or ‘must do’ kind of book.  Rather, these readings will guide us into “a way of being in the world” where gratitude and loving-kindness are increasingly evident.”

Upon leaving the building at least a dozen people wanted to know how they could get hold of additional copies.  “Thanks for the overview of the work and some suggestions about how to use it.  I have a friend at work who I know could use it too.”  “I want to give a copy to every one of my adult children.”  “I will be leaving in April to return to my home in the mid-west.  I’d like to use it for a study I lead each summer.” 

On Thursday more people called to request copies of the book.  “I showed it to my co-worker today.  She’s been having a really hard time and has been looking for something just like this to help her make it through.”  Another person stopped by the office.  “I spent a lot of time today thinking about the first rule, the part you introduced and asked us to memorize, the part about living this life with an emphasis on loving-kindness.  This book is amazing.  Do you have additional copies?  I want them as gifts for a couple of friends."

If you are already spending time with “Always We Begin Again” I encourage you to stay with it.   Meditate on the words and phrases that call to you.  Use it for the next 40 days and you will begin to see changes in your “way of being in the world."

If you have the book but haven’t yet opened it, now is the time.

If you don’t have "Always" but would like it (or more copies for your friends) you can order copies from various book stores, Cokesbury (at a reduced price on the Internet) and Amazon (new paper, used paper, and e-book).  And, of course, I have a few more copies at the office if you stop by.  The one you get from me is free to you.  

My thanks to Lilly and CTS for furnishing these free copies of "Always" as part of the their Clergy Renewal Grant to Holy Trinity Lutheran. More about Lilly and CTS in the 2013 September Blog post.

Between the first gasp and the final release

In just a few days hundreds of people will gather at Holy Trinity Church for Ash Wednesday worship. Early in the service the worship leader will invite us forward to have ashes placed on our foreheads.  With heads bowed and perhaps kneeling we will receive the ashes and hear the words, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3). The action and the words are humbling.  They remind us that we are not gods.  We are neither self-made nor self-sufficient.  We are human.

We are human. We are dependent.  We begin our lives as infants depending on others to survive.  We move through life as consumers and producers depending on others to provide for our needs and consume what we make.  We move through life as members of the community depending on the abilities of many to work with us in creating places of comfort and safety.  We end our lives depending on family and friends to care for us as we prepare to draw our last breath. We are not gods.  We are neither self-made nor self-sufficient.  We will return to dust. So true. So humbling.  We are human.
 
We are human. Yet, between the first birth-breath and the last, between the first gasp and the final release there is a world of possibilities and choices to be made.  What shall we do?  How shall we live? How will we use our time, energy and resources between the two fixed points?
  
For me, these questions find their answer in the verse that will guide my Lenten journey and my sabbatical:  “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly” (Micah 6:8).

Of course, there are other options, other verses and other paths.  But for me, in this season of life, recognizing that I have nearly unlimited choices about how I can spend my life and my resources, and having weighed the benefits and pitfalls of many, I choose the work of justice and kindness.  At the same time, knowing that I lack within my self the ability to do what the Lord requires, in humility, I have sought and found a guide and companion to assist me in the work ahead. Actually … two guides.

The first is named Benedict.  Saint Benedict.
  
Saint Benedict was born around the year 480 in central Italy. As a young man, Benedict studied in Rome but left after a short stay, desiring to dedicate his life to God. At Subiaco, about fifty miles from Rome, Benedict lived a life of solitude and prayer with support from a monk named Romanus.

Benedict's simple life and devotion to God attracted disciples and, in time, twelve small monasteries were established around Subiaco, with Benedict as the spiritual father of them all.

Around 530 Benedict left Subiaco with some of his disciples for Monte Cassino, halfway between Rome and Naples, where he began a single, close-knit community on a mountain top. He remained there until his death around the year 547. While at Monte Cassino, Benedict completed his "Rule for Monks." In it he instructed those under his guidance in the ways of humility, gratitude, mercy, joy, silence, and obligation to God and brothers in the community. Today, the "Rule of Saint Benedict," as it is commonly called, is considered one of the most important factors in the development of Christian Europe.

Benedict's disciples, both men and women, can be found on every inhabited continent of the world, leading lives dedicated to "Prayer and Work," as Benedict taught in his rule and by his life.  (see Christ in the Desert Monastery, New Mexico, for more information)

John McQuiston II will serve as my second guide and companion.  McQuiston, an attorney by vocation discovered Benedict and “The Rule” more than twenty years ago.  He began to use “The Rule” to guide his daily devotional life.  It helped him find balance in his faith and work life.  It helped him deepen his prayer life.  It helped him cultivate gratitude, patience, humility, and joy throughout his work week.  And, in hope that others would discover “The Rule’s” treasures, he re-wrote it under the title “Always We Begin Again.”
 
Like “The Rule,” “Always We Begin Again” is not a “must” “should” nor “have to” kind of book.  It isn’t a set of rules to be followed and obeyed.  Rather, it is a series of readings, reflections and suggested pause points throughout the day.  Open your eyes and experience the morning light.  Listen to the first sounds of the day. Pause briefly from 10:30am to 10:31am and ponder those things for which you are grateful.  Each evening spend a brief time with people you love without the computer, smartphone or television.  Make your last thought of the day one of gratitude.
  
Those who worship at Holy Trinity Church on Ash Wednesday will receive a copy of McQuiston’s book.  The gift brings with it my hope that others will choose Benedict and McQuiston as guides and companions during the Lenten journey.  It is my hope that others will join me in THE WAY of Micah 6:8: justice/kindness/humility.

Remember … dust … human … dependent … between the first gasp and the final release there is a world of possibilities and a choice.