Day 24

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

The Abbey of Gethsemani

Across the road from the monastery there is a hill.  On top of the hill there is a rock formation with a large cross on top. I call the hill, Mt. Calvary.  (The monks may have a different name for it.) It is a visual reminder of Christ’s sacrifice for us.  There is a pathway for those who wish to ascend to the top. I have made the climb in the past but have not walked up during my sabbatical.

The Lexington Catholic sophmore class was back this day.  They were on the grounds clustered in groups enjoying lunch, visitng the gift shop and doing what teens do,  I noticed two young men making their way up Mt. Calvary. Soon they stood on rocks and called out to their fellow classmates.   Slowly, various groups of sophmores followed. Before long, there was a large crowd on the hill gathered around the cross.  On a sunny day, just before Noon it was a sacred site.  Teens standing on Mt. Calvary.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

Day 23

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

The Abbey of Gethsemani

Over the years I have developed a routine at the Abbey.  I usually sit  in the balcony for the daytime prayers and I sit downstairs for Compline which is the last prayer of the day.   Most days there are only a few people in the balcony but  this day there was standing room only.

Lexington High School’s sophmore class came for a visit.  They were well-manered teens who observed  silence as if they had been doing it all their lives.  I saw no cell phones.  Sure, there were looks and whispers.   But even the adult retreatants do that.

It was nice to have a balacony full of teens.  Their presene caused me to miss our youth group.  I said a prayer for both.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

Day 32

Thursday, May 7, 2015

I am once again jumping track.  Today, we had guests during our noonday prayers, Sext.  A  camera crew was filming the monks and guests chanting the Psalms.  I rather doubt that I am in the film but for the sake of entertainment, lets just say I may be a movie star for a day.

As the film crew was walking through the dinning area, I asked them about their project.  Turns out they are from the Food Network and they were touring the south making a film about Southern Cusine.  The project will include Gethsemani Farms.  What I did not know until just now is that Jamie and Bobby Deen (Paula Deen’s sons) are the film makers and they were here at the Abbey along with their entourage.

I have another claim to fame.  While in New York City, Sallie, Liz and I dined at Felydia’s on East 58th Street.  Pictured above, at our table, is Chef Lydia (between Sallie and Liz) from PBS.   The Deens’ and Chef Lydia, not bad for a Countty Preacher!

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

Day 22

Monday, April 27, 2015

Louisville, KY

It started several years ago.  My spiritual mother, Dorothy Steedly, was a mental health nurse with VNA. She worked with several wonderful and talented nurses over the years.  After Dot retired, her fellow nurses would get together once a month for a meal.  They would catch-up with one another, exchange books, talk about current events and discuss what was happening in the Mental Health field.  Because Dot and I always went on retreat together, usually in August, over the past several years, I was invited to “tag along” and join the nurses for their monthly gathering.  After Dot’s death, we agreed we would meet when I came to the area for my annual retreat.  We connected through Dot but stayed connected.  Several of us are friends on Facebook.  They are delightful dedicated women who give of themselves generously to those who are facing emotional and mental issues. I am grateful they still let me “tag along.”

We met for dinner at our usual spot, Buckheads. It was wonderful to see them and learn about their lives. Each of them was going through a difficult struggle; a recent surgery, the death of a parent, loss of income and caring for elderly family members. I shared my own struggles from the past year. We listened and laughed and thought of Dot.

I made another connection this day. I was having problems with my new mini Ipad. So I made an appointment with a “genius” at the Apple Store in Louisville. I prayed for that God would send me a kind and patient genius. My prayer was answered and his name was Ross. I had a long list of problems I needed help with. Ross patiently worked through my list. As he re-programing my Ipad; I mentioned that I lived in Louisville when I was attending Southern Seminary many, many years ago. Ross replied: “Really, I am student at Southern and I graduateing on May 16.” Ross is attending a different Southern Seminary from the one I attended. Not in name or location but in theology and practice. When I told him I was a pastor, he didn’t whince. He seemed to be a kind and caring young man who was obviously dedicated to the Lord. I hugged him, congratulated him and wished him blessigns on his future ministry. Hopefully, we both grew as a result of our connection.

Dorothy once told me about a dream she had. She was in heaven and she saw how every person was connected to the other. I told this story at her Memorial Service. God gave Dot a vision of what heaven will be like. Heaven will be place where each of us will discovery how we are conencted to one another through the one who created us all.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

Day 21

Sunday, April 27, 2015

The Abbey of Gethsemani

Every Sunday the monks have a special service before their last prayer, Compline. This service is called Benediction.  Catholics believe in the doctrine of transubstantiation.  That is they believe that the communion bread and wine literally become the Body and Blood of Christ.  Baptists believe that the bread and juice are symbols of Christ’s Body and Blood.  Because they beleive that Christ is presence in the Host (the elements for communion) they adore it.  They kneel before the Host as if it were Jesus.  Benediction is a very moving service.  It is also very worshipful.  We may not have the same theology but wouldn’t it be wonderful to see Baptists on their knees adoring Christ?

At Benediction, the Priest blesses the Host with incense.  I watched the incense rising in the Abbey Church.  This visible cloud of smoke with it’s sweet fragrance reminded me of  heaven.  For the Bible tells us in Revelation 8:4:

And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints rose before God from the hand of the angel.

Everything about the Abbey of Gethseamni points you to God.  Everything is designed to invite you to pray.  As I watched the incense rising, I thought of all the prayers that have been offered in this place.  Surely it is a sweet fragrance before the Throne of God.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

Day 20

Saturday, April 20, 2015

The Abbey of Gethsemani

Fr. Seamus recovered from his illness and gave a talk this day.  While listening to him,  I learned several interesting facts about the monastery I did not know.  For example there is a connection between Abraham Lincoln and the Abbey of Gethesmani.

President Lincoln is claimed by several neighboring states.  Kentucky was the state where he was born.  Indiana was his boyhood home.  Illinios, known as the Land of Lincoln, is the state where he made a name for himself as a politician and ran for President.

Lincoln was born less than 20 miles from Gethsemani.  His very first teacher, Zachariah Riney, is buried at the Abbey.  Mr. Riney owned land adjacent to the monastery.  He want to deed the land to the monks in exchange for them allowing him to live out his last days at the Gethsemani and be buried here. The monks agreed and the rest as they is history.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

Day 19

Friday, April 24, 2015

The Abbey of Gethsemani

The monks at Gethsemani pray seven times everyday.  The first prayer time begins at 3:15 a,m,  This is called Vigils.  I already know what some of you are thinking.  Pastor Vallerie up at 3:15 a.m.?  Truth be told, I do not get up for Vigils.  However, I read the Psalms (which are in a daily booklet) the monks chanted during Vigils.  This day one of the Psalms during Vigils was Psalm 16  (Psalm 15 in the American Standard Bible.)  Because they chant the Psalms, they use a translation which is singable.  Verse 5 of Psalm 16 (15) stood out for me:  The monks would have chanted these wrods at Vigils: O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.  The NRSV translates Psalm 16:5 this way: The Lord is my chosen portion, my cup; you hold my lot.

Nan Merrill’s, Psalms for Praying, often speaks to my heart;  This is her translates Psalm 16:5:                   Love is my chosen food, my cup, holding me in its power.

May love be our chosen portion this day and everyday.  Amen.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

Day 18

Thursday, April 23, 2015

The Abbey of Gethsemani

I have an app on my Iphone that is one of my daily devotionals  The app is Pray As You Go.  The app site is administered by Jesuits in Ireland.  The site offers a devotional every weekday and once on weekends. When you listen to the app, you first hear a bell or chime.  Then a musical offering is played which relates to the scripoture text for the day. This is followed by the scripture reading.  The speaker then gives several suggestions of ways you can pray in accordance with the biblical text.  This is followed by one more reading of  God’s Word and the devotional ends with a Benediction.

Today’s music was a song and an artist I had never heard before.  The song was Surrender and the singer was Karen Money.  The words to the song are:

I surrender all to You
The past the years to come right now
With every breath I bring to You
My hopes and fears and long discarded dreams
Take them from my trembling hands
Before I lose my nerve and change my mind
Tear to shreds my safety net
And rip up every back up plan I make

If I could only see Your face
I would never hesitate
I’d give my all to You
Through I do not see You now
I will turn my back on every doubt
And I am going to trust that You
In Your own time will work it out

If I could only see Your face
Empty hands bring peace of mind
Your burden is far lightertan my own
And every step I take to You
Leads me ever closer still to home.

Thank you Karen Money for bringing me closer to home.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

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Day 17

Wedneday, April 22, 2015

The Abbey of Gethsemani

One of the many gifts that one enjoys while on retreat are the lovely grounds that surround the monastery. Gethsemani owns 2,400 areas of land.  There are several lakes on their property. Certain areas are restricted where only the monks are allowed to go but for the most part, guests are encouraged to walk the grounds and enjoy Gold’s awesome creation.

Fr. Seamus placed this quote by St. Bernard of Clairvaux on the Retreat House bulletin board:  “You will discover things in the woods that you never found in books.  Stones and trees will teach you things that you never heard from your schoolteachers.”

Into the woods I go!

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

Day 16

Tuesday, April 21, 2115

The Abbey of Gethsemani

I attended Laudes and Mass this morning. Fr. Jim was the celebrant. The scripture reading was taken from Acts 7 which is the story of the stoning of Stephen. It is a powerful story. Before he dies, Stephen sees Jesus,.  His dying words are words of forgiveness: Lord, do not hold this sin agasint them. (Acts 7:60)

Like Jesus when he was dying on the cross, Stephen asks God to forgive those who are putting him to death. It is the best example of true Christlikeness.

Forgiveness is a theme that always emerges at Gethsemani. The Lord’s Prayer is said everyday at Prayers and at Mass. I want to possess a forgiving spirit. But I confess that I also want my enemies to get what’s coming to them.

In his second talk, Fr. Carlos gave a wonderful illustration about failing to forgive another. He said: refusing to forgive enemy is like drinking a bottle of poison yourself, hoping the poison will kill your enemy.

I was in the Meditation Room looking out the window at the end of the day. There in the top of the tree was something I had never noticed before. It was a cross…a reminder of what Christ forgiving me cost him.

Lord, I am so grateful that you constantly forgive me of my sins. Please help me to forgive those who have sinned against me. Help me to be like Jesus. Amen.

i count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie