Tales from the cloister.
Monks and nuns and bears, oh my!
Once upon a time there was a very spiritual nun who obediently, albeit reluctantly, joined the other sisters for recreation, although she rarely ever stayed for more than a few minutes. When asked by the prioress where she disappeared to, she would explain that because of her poor health, she had been fatiqued and needed to rest.
It’s called, “my space”.
When she was finally alone, she would either call friends, or email them; often to complain about the lack of discipline in her monastery, and how she took refuge in her cell, away from all the disturbance. The sister told one friend: “This sister always says things she thinks are funny but they hurt my feelings.” “That sister argues with me about how we should be chanting the office.” “Those sisters seem to have formed a clique because they never discuss anything I am interested in.” “And sister so and so always condescendingly asks about my health - as if I am faking poor health to protect my privacy, or do my own thing.”
The unfortunate sister was very lonely and terribly misunderstood. So her friend tried to encourage her and told her:
Just a precaution.
Remember that when you entered the monastery, you did so that “all may fashion you and try you. Thus, to free yourself from the imperfections and disturbances that can be engendered by the mannerisms and attitudes of the religious you live amongst, and draw profit from every occurrence, try to imagine all in the community are artisans, as indeed they are - living there just in order to prove and try you.”[Jn. de la +]
Mean girls.
“Some will fashion you with deeds, others with words, and others with thoughts and looks (you perceive to be) against you. To all of this be submissive, as the statue is to the craftsman who carves it, to the artist who paints it, and to the gilder who embellishes it.” [Jn. de la +]
Toughen up.
“If you fail in these matters, you will never learn how to overcome your sensitiveness and feelings, nor will you get along well in the community with the religious, nor attain holy peace, nor free yourself from many stumbling blocks and evils.” [Jn. de la +]
“Shirley such advice is not for modern times!”
But the sister did not like the advice her friend gave her, saying it was too idealistic, and she never talked to her friend again. The sister eventually left the monastery she lived in and found another house. The new house seemed “just right”! And there she began the entire process all over again.
The End.
