A Trip to The Abbey…
I recently had the gift to be allowed to visit the Gethsemani Abbey outside of Bardstown, Kentucky. When I was going to graduate school in Kentucky, women were not allowed on the grounds, but that has changed since I last tried to visit. I was even allowed to attend a service observing the monks.
I have been contemplating what it must be like for the monks of Gethsemani to have a life dedicated to prayer and contemplation. They do have daily chores that they are responsible for, but the majority of the day is spent in prayer and in celebration. There are seven services a day that they attend.
It was on these grounds that Thomas Merton wrote “The Seven Story Mountain” and many other of his works. One of his quotes says:
“Finally I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am. That I will never fulfill my obligation to surpass myself unless I first accept myself, and if I accept myself fully in the right way, I will already have surpassed myself.”
Over the past few years, taking this time to reflect on God’s gift in each day, I have managed to get closer and closer to just that. To accepting myself for what I am. And living in this way continues to give me the ability to see the good in myself as well as in the world around me.
Yes, there is suffering in the world. Yes, there are those that I pray for daily. Yes, I have struggles and trials. But in looking for the gift in the day…I am able to see God’s best in the world if only for a moment. I am glad that I had the gift of visiting this beautiful place of prayer and be able to contemplate praying, again, a prayer that I was taught long ago..
God help me to want what I have…
