Willow – My Promise for 2025
What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ?
I am not tolerant of others whether feline or human. I can find all sorts of things wrong with them. And I am not very flexible, being an ardent believer that the world revolves around me. I would never mew this last point out loud, of course. But my thoughts and action reflect this viewpoint.
Practices from the Rule to help me craft my promise:
“This, then, is the good zeal which members must foster with fervent love: They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other (Rom 12:10), supporting with the greatest patience one another’s weaknesses of body or behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another.” RB 72.3-6
“To recognize that I cannot always be in control, and to listen and respond to those who are – to be obedient.” Amma’s interpretation of Step 3 of Benedict’s Ladder of Humility. St. Benedict’s Toolbox, Page 215
“The first step of humility, then, is that we keep the reverence of God always before our eyes (Ps 36:2) and never forget it.” RB 7.10
My 2025 Promise:
I have a lot to work on, with God’s help. I will paw the above Rule practices on a tiny piece of paper and put promises in my cat bed. I can read them every morning, every night and when I rest after my meals (RB 48.5). I will strive to put them into practice throughout the day, being more understanding and accepting of others and situations.
What my human needs to learn to help her prefer nothing whatever to Christ:
I am the boss.
Practices from the Rule to help my human craft her promise:
“Obedience is a blessing to be shown by all, not only to the prioress and abbot but also to one another, since we know that it is by this way of obedience that we go to God.” RB 71.1-2
“The third step of humility is that we submit to the prioress or abbot [or me] in all obedience for the love of God, imitating Jesus Christ of whom the apostle says: Christ became obedient even to death.” (Phil 2:8). RB 7.34 Modifications by Willow
“Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else.” RB 4.20-21
My Human’s 2025 Promise:
Willow asks you to join her and craft your own 2025 Promise.