0590 Loddon Reach June 20 64pp Interactive) - Flipbook - Page 7
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On hearing an interview with Fr Christopher
Jamieson, (Benedictine Monk from Douai
Abbey), on BBC Radio, I was reminded of
an article I wrote a few years ago, and have
adapted it for today.
M
any of you will know that we’re not
far from Douai Abbey, a working
monastery situated near Thatcham.
The existence of the Abbey is a direct result of
anti-clerical laws in France, brought in towards
the end of the 19th Century which meant a
move for the original Monastic community
(founded in 1615), from Paris to Douai in
Belgium, and finally to Woolhampton, which
has been home to the Douai community of
Benedictine monks since 1903.
You may not realise this, but becoming a monk
or a nun is a form of voluntary isolation that
paradoxically recognises the importance of
community. Benedictine life is underpinned
by the belief that God is present in everything!
They take a disciplined approach to the solitary
life with a continuous turning to God, founded
on a daily rhythm of prayer, and further to
that, hold to the understanding that practical
work, such as washing dishes, keeping bees, or
brewing beer, is understood as an act of prayer.
Over the past 20 years or so, I’ve been to
Douai a few times and, on each of my visits,
the atmosphere of calm and tranquillity has
made an impact. Sometimes it’s taken a real
effort of will and organisation to be able to
carve out diary time to get there, but I can
honestly say it’s been worth it.
For most of us, until the introduction of
compulsory lockdown, finding time to retreat
has been difficult, if not impossible; so I
would argue that by not having to chase our
tails quite so much, the past few months
have given us the extraordinary gift of an
opportunity to slow down, readjust our sights
and be more reflective.
Of course, we’re not all cut out for the quiet
life, and many will be hoping that, in some
ways, life goes back to the way it was. The
lockdown experience has brought with it many
challenges, so I’m not suggesting that it’s
been a totally positive experience. Concerns
about finances and future employment are
real issues that inevitably prey on the mind,
and many relationships have been tested.
In addition, those of you with young families
and children not at school, will probably find
the notion of creating quiet, reflective time a
distant dream, and difficult to achieve whether
in lockdown or not. The same could be said for
those who care 24/7 for loved ones at home.
Personally, I’ve found that time to have
personal space in lockdown is important.
Getting out of the house, going for a walk,
working in the garden, or even washing the car,
(God is present in everything!) is rewarding,
healing and refreshing. So, the ironic thing
is that retreating from the pressures of life,
whatever our ‘norms’ are, whether busy or
not, it’s really quite important to take a break.
To be reflective away from normal life really
is in the best interests of personal wellbeing.
Another unexpected yet affirming consequence
of lockdown has been the realisation that, in a
way not dissimilar similar to the Benedictines,
our sense of community and need of each
other is proving to be important, and we’ve
been made aware of this in many unexpected
ways. The response of communities to need
has been truly wonderful.
Christian viewpoint
THE QUIET LIFE? IT’S OK FOR SOME
Jesus’ life of ministry was pretty full on, yet
he recognised the necessity of finding space
to be alone with his Father. He felt a real
responsibility to his growing community,
and enjoyed the company of his friends,
but he made the time and space for retreat,
always coming back to the busyness of life
reinvigorated and refreshed. As ever, he gives
us physical and spiritual human beings the
model of how to live a balanced life alone,
and also in community.
As we move towards whatever shape postCovid 19 ‘new normal’ will be, we can almost
guarantee that things will inevitably become
busier, but should remember, that we owe
it to ourselves and to each other to make
time and space to pause for spiritual and
physical refreshment, both together and
alone. Creating space for the spiritual and
recognising God in everything.
Revd Paul Willis
www.alonetogether.org.uk (A Benedictine
guide to isolation and social distancing from
those who know)
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