A Way of Being

Several years ago now, when Robbie and I were in Portugal, one of the highlights was visiting all the old monasteries. There were a few that were just elaborate – ornate – built on the wealth carried back from the new world. While we were there, we enjoyed imagining what it would be like to live in that world, to walk those halls, to sit in the great cathedrals in prayer. 

However, the monastery that by far captivated us most was the Franciscan monastery. It sat in the middle of an old-growth forest and looked as if it had been carved out of the earth and rock. And if you could imagine living there, it would be far less ornate, and probably far less comfortable. The chapel was basically a hovel. I remember walking through the dormitory, looking into the monk’s cells. They were very simple small rooms with one window and one tiny short door. And I thought: There must have been some really small people back then! 

What we learned, however, is that the doors were made short intentionally. The monk’s cells were not only where the monk’s slept, but also their primary place of prayer. In order to enter the cell, in order to enter the primary place of prayer, one has to kneel down, bow the head, and presumably the heart. 

I have to imagine, that for those monks, doing this several times a day, it would do something within them… And if they did this day after day, month after month, year after year, bowing of the knee, bowing the head, bowing the heart, it would cultivate a way of being – a stance of humility, not only before God, but before the other brothers.

Sometimes I have to ask myself: are there relationships in my life that are hurting because my pride has gotten in the way, or because I always have to have the last word, or because I’m so certain I’m right, that I’m not about to listen to your point of view, or because I refuse to apologize? And maybe even, are there relationships that could be deeper if I were willing to acknowledge my own need and ask for help? How often is my ego in the way?

I can’t help but think about the deep-rooted divisions that plague our society. And I have to wonder what difference it would make in our communities, in our friendships, in our families, and in our faith, if we all took a lesson from the Franciscans and cultivated a little more humility in our lives.

Let us pray: We bow our heads and our hearts before you, O God. We acknowledge that in order to heal and grow, we need you, and we need others. Grant us listening ears, open spirits, and understanding hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.