Jake – My Promise for 2025
What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ?
I lose my focus on following Christ and the Rule in three situations: when I ride in the car, go to the veterinarian, and be told “No”. Each causes my fur to rise and my heart to grumble. And the grumbling goes on a LONG time. It’s hard to prefer Christ when I grumble!
Practices from the Rule to help me craft my promise:
“The fourth step of humility is that in this obedience under difficult, unfavorable, or even unjust conditions, our hearts quietly embrace suffering and endure it without weakening or seeking escape. For scripture has it: Anyone who perseveres to the end will be saved (Matt 10:22), and again, Be brave of heart and rely on God” (Ps 27:14). RB 7.35-37
“As soon as wrongful thoughts come into your heart, dash them against Christ and disclose them to your spiritual guide.” RB 4.50
“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:
I promise to practice stability when I am in situations that I don’t like. This means I will persevere and not try to escape or even to mew my distaste. I will use the situations to get closer to God which is why I joined the Feline Cloister.
What my human needs to learn to help her prefer nothing whatever to Christ:
How to better practice hospitality, as she gets nervous when people come over. Also, how to remember to keep God always in front of her in daily life.
Practices from the Rule to help my human craft her promise:
“All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, who said: I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matt 25:35). Proper honor must be shown to all, especially to those who share our faith (Gal 6:10) and to pilgrims.” RB 53.1-2 [And to be Christ to all]
“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
“Let us get up then, at long last, for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: It is high time for us to arise from sleep (Rom. 13:11). Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God.” Prologue 9a-10
“We believe that the divine presence is everywhere.” RB 19.1a
My Human’s 2025 Promise:
Jake asks you to join him and craft your own 2025 Promise.