Monday Morning in the Desert

"Some brothers once asked Silvanus, 'What way of life did you follow to be endowed with such prudence?' He answered, 'I have never let any bitter thought remain in my heart.'"

(From p. 124 of "The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks" translated by Benedicta Ward).

Les Miserables in Real Life in Ukraine

As the old saying goes, history repeats itself. 

Last fall, I had the opportunity to be involved with a stage production of the musical, Les Miserables.  The musical, based on the classic novel, is a fictional account of a real-life event - an uprising by students against the French regime in the 1800s. What is going on in Ukraine right now is a real-life version of the events depicted in Les Miserables, including the barricades:

 Ukraine even has its own version of Eponine- the young woman from Les Miserables who was shot and killed at the barricade.  Olesya Zhukovskaya is a 21 year old medic who was tending to the wounded and dying in the streets when she was shot in the neck by a sniper.  After being shot, she posted the words "I'm dying" on a social media website.  Fortunately, so far, she has avoided Eponine's fate and survived following emergency surgery.

 

Meanwhile, the witness of the clergy in Ukraine continues to amaze me.  Here is an incredible image of a Greek Catholic priest, with a riot shield in one hand, a cross in the other, and a gas mask around his neck.

 

More amazing images of clergy on the front lines in Ukraine can be found here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/02/20/dramatic-photos-ukraines-priests-take-an-active-role-in-protests/ 

Please continue praying for peace in Ukraine. 

  

 

A Lutheran Presence in Ukraine

Previously, I shared my thoughts on the presence of priests and monks, acting as witnesses for peace in the midst of strife in Ukraine. (See http://benedictinelutheran.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-monastic-witness-for-peace-in-ukraine.html and http://benedictinelutheran.blogspot.com/2014/01/fear-monday-morning-in-desert-series.html). In the latest round of violence, which is proving to be even bloodier than what happened last month, Lutheran clergy are also acting as peacemakers.

This is Andreas Hamburg, Pastor of the Lutheran Church in Odessa, Ukraine. He was assaulted this morning by Titushky (pro-Government hooligans) while trying to protect demonstrators, and was saved by a police officer, who he calls his guardian angel.  He asks for prayers for the people of Ukraine.

(From this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=623095377743546&set=a.267575909962163.80352.100001292685359&type=1&theater)

May the Lord have mercy on the people of Ukraine, and may peace come soon.

Commitment (Monday Morning in the Desert)

I recently saw this picture of a rollerblading monk on Twitter (Thanks to Br. Benjamin, @bro_bol). I do not know the identity of the monk or the story behind the picture, but a thought occurred to me:  Here is someone who truly loves his vocation. This monk is comfortable being who he is, even under circumstances that look out of place.

An anecdote from one of the Desert Fathers conveys a similar message regarding finding (and commitment to) a vocation that is consistent with who we are:

"Moses asked Silvanus, 'Can a monk live every day as though it were the first day of his monastic life?' Silvanus answered, 'If you are truly committed to your way of life, you can live every day, every hour, as though it were the first day or hour of your monastic life.'"

(From p. 124 of "The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks", translated by Benedicta Ward).

Monday Morning in the Desert

"Syncletica said, 'Merchants toil in search of riches and are in danger of their lives from shipwreck; the more wealth they win, the more they want; and they think what they have already is of no worth but bend their whole mind to what they have not yet got.  But we have nothing, not even that which we ought to seek; we do not even want to possess what we need, because we fear God.'"

(From p. 105 of "The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks", translated by Benedicta Ward).

Monday Morning in the Desert

"A brother came to Poemen in the second week of Lent and told him of his thoughts, and found peace of mind from his answer. Then he said, 'I almost didn't come to see you today.' Poemen asked him why. He said, 'I was afraid that the door wouldn't be opened, as it is Lent.' Poemen answered him, 'It is not wooden doors we were taught to shut; the door we need to keep shut is the mouth.'"

(From p. 135 of "The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks", translated by Benedicta Ward).