Felicity – My Promise for 2025
What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ?
When I get annoyed with a human, a feline, or a situation I disengage. I go off in a huff and hiss to myself about the annoyance. I prefer grumbling to Christ.
Practices from the Rule to help me craft my promise:
“When [the novices] are to be received, they come before the whole community in the oratory and promise stability, fidelity to the monastic life, and obedience.” RB 53.17
“You are not to act in anger or nurse a grudge.” RB 4.22-23
“First and foremost, there must be no word or sign of the evil of grumbling, no manifestation of it for any reason at all.” RB 34.6
My 2025 Promise:
The vow of stability asks us to remain connected to others and to situations even when we want to disengage. We then can learn about ourselves and about what God wants us to be or to do. When I want to stalk away, I will stay put instead. Since I am a curious kitty, I will be curious about what God wants me to learn. I will put a paw against grumbling. And I will do my best to be a loving and forgiving presence.
What my human needs to learn to help her prefer nothing whatever to Christ:
I’ve always been special.
Practices from the Rule to help my human craft her promise:
“Among themselves they show the pure love of sisters and brothers; to God, reverent love; to their prioress or abbot [and to me], unfeigned and humble love.” RB 72.8-10
“Let them recognize that the goal must be profit for the community members, not preeminence for themselves.” RB 64.8
“No monastics are to pursue what they judge better for themselves, but instead, what they judge better for someone else.” RB 72.7
My Human’s 2025 Promise:
Felicity asks you to join her and craft your own 2025 Promise.