You are just in time to join Br. Ricky, OSB-F, Novice Master, and Sr. Maggie, OSB-F, Cloister Contemplate and Assistant Novice Master, on their Zoom call. Sr. Maggie, on assignment in Florida, has finished compiling the results of one of the questions on the Novice Application Form – “What my human needs to learn is…” The two are discussing the results and brainstorming educational pathways.
Join the Zoom call in progress.
Br. Ricky, OSB-F
Sr. Maggie, OSB-F
Categories for Human Learning
Br. Ricky (Br R): Well, Sr. Maggie, it looks like you have discovered what the Worldwide Novices feel that their humans need to learn.
Sr. Maggie (Sr M): Right, Br. Ricky. I can put the list up if you paw me in as a co-host.
(Br Ricky nods. His head goes down and we hear clicking in the background. Task finished, he looks up and mews congenially.)
Br R: Here you go.
Sr M: Thank you. (After a few clicks here and there, a slide pops up on the screen.)
Helping others can move us from focus on ourselves
Br. Ricky and Sr. Maggie Devise a Plan
Br R: Perhaps if we focus on what the novices can do to help their humans this will encourage them step away a bit from their self-focus. I find that it never hurts to become absorbed in helping others. Doing this turns me away from centering my life just on myself. And something else – Sometimes what we think others need is really what we need, too. So perhaps what we offer for humans may help our feline novices.
Sr Maggie: How true, Br. Ricky. After all, moving from having ourselves the center of everything is certainly part of being a Benedictine. In the Rule we read this.
“No monastics are to pursue what they judge better for themselves, but instead, what they judge better for someone else.” RB 72.7
I still find this challenging. No matter how much I want to put others first, my preference is so often for myself. But I find that if, in the moment, I remember this verse from the Rule I can turn away from acting on my self-preferences. I think, but not act. The thoughts will always be there. And the verse reminds me of a bigger purpose – to follow the Lord’s preference for self-giving and love.
(Br. Ricky gives an appreciative mew.)
Br R: We must always remember this. The Worldwide Novices have been called to the Feline Cloister by God to teach humans about The Rule of St. Benedict and how this Rule can help their humans find peace and joy in daily life. And to live the Rule as best as they can. This is our Feline Cloister Mission Statement. We see their good hearts, faithful intentions and love in their reasons from coming to the Cloister.
(Sr. Maggie purrs)
Br R: I recommend that we first focus on those specific things the novices mentioned that their humans need to learn that relate to their human; the ones you listed in the first slide. In each issue of Monday Mewsings I we can highlight one of these growing edges.
Balance
Hospitality
Patience
Presence of God
Ideas for the Novice Activity
Br R: To get started, in this month’s “Novice Activity” that we include in the email, let’s suggest an “Mewsing” article that covers each one of those four areas. Our Cloister writers have offered excellent instruction, often in an amusing way, which can help sweeten the learning.
Sr M: Great idea, Br. Ricky. Let’s go for it right now!
(Novice Master and his assistant take ten minutes to pair up one of the four areas with an article.)
Br R: Great work, Sr. Maggie. We can offer these articles for the novices to share with their humans. It will be a way to begin.
(Clicking is heard in the background as Sr. Maggie puts up a slide of their work.)
Sr M: Here’s what we came up with. I made the article titles clickable with a tap of the paw.
Worldwide Novice Mr. Pippin Marmalade
anticipating the next Monday Mewsing Novice Activity
Articles for Novices to Share With Their Humans
Hospitality
“Welcoming Newcomers with Love”
Presence of God
“Living from the Spiritual Heart”
(The tolling of the bell is heard in the distance.)
Br R: Ah. Time for chapel. We need to go now. Good work, Sr. Maggie.
Sr Maggie: And you, too, Br. Ricky. I will join the Cloister on your live stream. God bless.
(Br. Ricky and Sr. Maggie mew their goodbyes and click off the Zoom call.)