Susan LaffertyFirst memory of sand and waves holds fast in the corners of my mind. Living on the island of vacations I experienced. As a child.
There was another beach before that. When I was a toddler. Depicted in family photographs during our sojourn in Thailand.
But Bali reigns in my memory files. Footprints on the beach taking me back.
Hot sun, yellow sand. Volcano in the distance.
Benedict of Nursia (480-547) first formed his Rule for the abbey he served in Monte Cassino, Italy.
Last year I grew curious about what this guide contained. And one particular practice caught my attention. It meant the monks of his monasteries lived on a steady diet of Psalms.
They repeated the entire book each week.
Worship. In a small house group, I watch one woman sing with such joy. Tears, even.
Midlife at the time, I’ve fallen into unhealthy patterns. Critiquing content and structure. Or impatience with those leading in services and retreats.
Prideful. And forgetting priority.
Losing focus of the One we worship.
