From time to time, the nothing Catholic hermit reviews what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to tell it about The Consecrated Life, and within that section heading, specifically The Eremitic Life.
What constitutes a consecrated Catholic hermit? The Church is specific in sheer simplicity:
"920 Without always professing the three evangelical counsels publicly, hermits 'devote their life to the praise of God and salvation of the world through a stricter separation from the world, the silence of solitude and assiduous prayer and penance.'
"921 They manifest to everyone the interior aspect of the mystery of the Church, that is, personal intimacy with Christ. Hidden from the eyes of men, the life of the hermit is a silent preaching of the Lord, to whom he has surrendered his life simply because he is everything to him. Here is a particular call to find in the desert, in the thick of spiritual battle, the glory of the Crucified One."
From here, the nothing or anyone something or nothing, may delve further into forking off with Canon 603 as an option. The nothing has chosen to remain with the simplicity of these two qualifying descriptors and Church guidance on the Consecrated Life, lived out as a consecrated, professed eremitic.
It speaks (or writes and reads) for itself. The nothing takes a sip of each sectional phrase, swishes a bit and retains for a spell, slowly savoring the meaning: clear, perhaps a bit pungent in stark reality, and often aromatic in the initial intake. The aftertaste remains for some time, and then, true to human nature, the meaning can become a touch confused with other tastes introduced from the world without--well-intentioned additions and interpretations.
But the facts remain stated: as is.
Five years ago at the beginning of this month of May, a venerable elderly priest passed on from this earth. One homily given made particular impact, for this short in stature priest was tall in wisdom and pulled no wily-nilly punches. He said it how it is, and people could take it as is or twist it (as we humans do tend to to do on occasion).
He spoke on the Eucharist. He said that often people say it is not really the True Presence of Jesus, not truly His Body and Blood changed from the substance of bread and wine. However, he said that people can say what they want; they can think what they want. The reality remains regardless of what some may say or think: The Eucharist IS the real Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. No one, he added, can change the truth into their own reality, not really.
So it is, too, with the reality of what is a consecrated hermit. It is written out in the Church's Catechism, in two clear-cut, line-item paragraphs. The nothing is advised to not debate, question, or reinterpret. Best to succinctly and simply: read; ponder, accept. And live it.
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2 comments:
I think you are realizing your vocation in all its simplicity, and as you infer it is sometimes the simplest thoughts that require the most pondering! For to be true to God alone is, in one aspect, SO simple and yet, of course, SO incredibly difficult in this world!
I couldn't help but think that you did a very charitable thing by attending the dinner, because perhaps the other woman who you sat with would have felt even more alienated if you weren't there. Certainly the pain must have been horrible for you, but you covered it with the love of charity. And love of neighbor is surely love of God.
Again, so simple, but so difficult!
Dear Brenda,
I was not "nice" to be with, as I was directed to listen. And with the pain level, I really had a difficult time listening to the very talkative woman--who is a great and dear soul! Under other circumstances, such as standing after Mass, I can listen far better! So, I will need to explain again this Sunday evening, and apologize for not being a good conversationalist.
But, what perhaps might not be so clear to others but is to me, and expressed to the spiritual da--if it hadn't been for the woman, I would have not had anyone sit with me! That is another good of the dinner: I could see where I fit in (and basically I do not fit in!) with large groups, established people, and so forth. There I was, by the grace of God, taken in kindly by the two others who others would not particularly include. But, I am far more comfortable as such. My exterior, though, does not seem like a fringe type, and in this my "cover" verges on deception. But, I think the man and woman (and hopefully a little the man's guest) recognize in my soul a kind of solitary, and thus God had us together. We each sit in front pews--one, two, three--and always alone!
You are SO right: simple but difficult. That is the plight of coming to terms with how God made us, the different vocations He leads us into, often after a vocation we chose for ourselves goes by the necessary wayside! Then, He can introduce us to what we are in His plan, and we can accept, even if we accept in bits and struggles over a period of years.
The dinner was an absolute success in the spiritual view, filled with so much suffering of acceptance. Part of that acceptance was facing that I would not have had anyone (especially Sally Who of Whoville & Group) ask me to sit with them. And, I was in a kind of daze in being such a conglomeration of souls, that I doubt I'd have known where to sit and would have fled sooner than I did!
When reading St. Seraphim over a year ago, I wondered at his hiding from people trying to find him and of fleeing situations with many people. A year later, I understand. God does give us vocation affirmations through daily encounters. The harp is a solitary instrument. Gardening is a solitary work. Solitary with God, and in Him, linked with many souls living and dead.
Thanks for your comments and insights, Brenda. I pray your life is being blessed with many vigorous, holy stretches!
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