Joey – My Promise for 2025
What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ?
I don’t like dogs. When a dog roams into my field of vision, I feel immediate distaste. I wonder how God could allow such creatures to be near me, because it makes me so upset. I run inside my yellow house and grumble. The grumbling distracts me from my study of the Rule and my prayer.
Practices from the Rule to help me craft my promise:
“All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me“(Matt 25:35). RB 53.1
“The eighth step of humility is that we do only what is endorsed by the common rule of the monastery and the example set by the prioress or abbot.” RB 7.55
“The second step of humility is that we love not our own will nor take pleasure in the satisfaction of our desires; rather we shall imitate by our actions that saying of Christ’s: I have come not to do my own will, but the will of the One who sent me (John 6:38).” RB 7.31-32
My 2025 Promise:
As a novice I must follow the Rule. So, I will change my prayer from asking God to keep dogs away from me to accepting the reality of their presence. Then, perhaps further into the year, I can begin to greet them as the Rule prescribes – as Christ.
What my human needs to learn to help her prefer nothing whatever to Christ:
To be a little more social
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
“By a bow of the head or by a complete prostration of the body, Christ is to be adored and welcomed in them.” RB 53.7 (Adapt the motions to the 21st century, i.e., an internal bowing or a welcoming smile and nod of the head.) RB 53.7
“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:
Joey asks you to join him and craft your own 2025 Promise.