Mount Michael Oblates

Vol. 2, No. 1 Oblates of Mount Michael Abbey, Elkhorn, NE September-December, 2003

‘Run on the Pathway of Our Father’

Dear Oblates,

Our call to become oblates of St. Benedict is a call to explore the mystery that is God. St. Benedict tells the novice that the purpose of monastic life is to seek God. The oblate responds to the call that was initiated by God to explore the mystery through monastic spirituality as a part of the monastic community of Mount Michael Abbey.

We should listen and look, to pray daily that the Spirit of God opens our ears and eyes and cures our blindness and deafness. Faithfulness to Benedictine values will insure that our life will give “Glory to God”. As Benedictine oblates live their commitment in truth and peace, they can challenge the world with a vision based on the gospel message of love.

Like the Desert Fathers and Mothers let our lives burn bright with the life of Christ within us. Do I keep feeding the fire, or am I letting it die out? The following is one of the stories of the Desert Fathers:

“Abba Lot went to see Abba Joseph and said to him: Abba, as much as I am able I practice a small rule, a little fasting, some prayer and mediation, and remain quiet and as much as possible I keep my thoughts clean. What else should I do? Then the old man stood up and stretched his hands toward heaven, and his fingers became like ten torches of flame and he said to him: If you wish, you can become all flame.”

St. Benedict tells us to run on the pathway of God, who is a consuming fire with the gospel as our guide.

During our monthly meetings we will focus on Lectio Divina, so that we can go deeper into the mystery of God. Listen, be silent, give your heart to the call of the Lord, let the Holy Spirit light the fire of love deep within you. We will continue to go deeper into the Rule of St. Benedict written in the spirit of the gospels so that we may deepen our commitments of stability, conversion, and obedience as oblates.

The monastic community thanks you for your support and commitment as oblates to Mount Michael Abbey. I look forward to seeing everyone at the Sept. 7 meeting. We will meet in the chapel from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served in the monastic dining room from 4:30-5 p.m. and Evening Prayer with the monks will be held at 5:15 p.m. May God bless you and your families with peace.

Bro. Jerome Kmiecik