Bryan Sherwood

100 of My Favorite Pics from the Abbey of Gethsemani

I've been visiting the Abbey of Gethsemani since 2005.  I've also been taking photos since my very first visit.  I have hundreds of photos of one of my favorite places on earth but these are my favorites. I hope somehow I've captured some of the spirit of this place.

Grab a cup of coffee, click on the slideshow link and use this as a lectio. 

Enjoy.

100 Favorite Pics of the Abbey of Gethsemani Slideshow

100 Favorite Pics of the Abbey of Gethsemani (Without slideshow)

Lay Cistercians Fall Retreat

I'm fortunate enough to be a part of the Lay Cistercians of Gethsemani.  What I've learned from my association with this group of like-minded believers has been forming for me and continues to be.  I'm thankful for Gethsemani and her witness in the world. 

Of course, I managed to snap a few photos.  I've always found photography to be a contemplative experience for me.  It's these quiet, prayerful moments I try to capture and  hopefully, make a prayer.

Enjoy.  More to come later.

Today's Responsorial Psalm - A Reflection

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Heather and I attended Mass today at the Abbey of Gethsemani.  I missed my monthly visit a few weeks ago and so decided to go today instead.  The above sentence was the response to today's Psalm - Psalm 34.

R.       Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.

R.       Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.

R.       Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.

R.       Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

As I listened to this Psalm, I couldn't help but think how difficult it is to "taste and see the goodness of the Lord."  Sure, when all is going well in life, it's easy to see the goodness of the Lord.  However, what about when life is full of hurt and trouble?  All one has to do is look around and immediately recognize there are many who are facing great difficulties . . . some even to the point of severe suffering.  I don't pretend to be tough enough to handle what many of my friends and acquaintances deal with.  Yet, in a church full of people, many of them hurting, depressed, suffering . . . and somehow we all responded with the words "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord."

What does this mean?  I think the Spirit was making it clear to me today that I must take seriously the call to prayer and to remember to pray for those who are suffering. 

St. Therese, pray for us.

Miscellanea

Just a few miscellaneous thoughts before I turn in for the night.

1.  I appreciate new church buildings that are designed and built in a way that glorifies God. (HT Michael Spencer). 

2.  I do not enjoy the hot and humid KY weather we're having right now.  I would greatly appreciate some rain, cooler temperatures or even snow.  Yes, bring on the white stuff.

3.  Our new dog Riley is probably the smartest and most onery dog I've ever owned.  We call him our little "juvy" (short for juvenile delinquent).

4.  Heather and I will celebrate 15 years of marriage on Thursday.  (Yes, we were 12 and 13  years old when we married.  Ahem.)

5.  I have high hopes for the future of Anglicanism despite all the craziness that's been going on as of late.  And I feel pretty darn lucky to be part of a great parish.

6.  I've been to more parties in the last 2 years than ever in my life.  I'm thinking this is a good thing.

7.  I can't wait to go on retreat next month at the Abbey of Gethsemani.  I wish I could stay longer than just a couple of days though.

Okay, I think that's it for now.  My brain has stopped responding.  Pax.

Br. Stephen, RIP

I got word tonight that one of the monks at Gethsemani has passed away.  Please pray for Br. Stephen and the community at Gethsemani.  Br. Stephen fought a rather long battle with cancer.  His fight is now over.  I'm reminded of the antiphon in the Office for the Dead:  "The bones that were crushed shall leap for joy before the Lord."  I'll join the community of Gethsemani in prayer over the next few days.  I hope you will too.

Pax.

Lauds: Psalms 148-150

Some Psalms are unmistakably psalms of Praise.  Psalms 148-150 are psalms of praise.  Psalm 148 begins this way:

Alleluia!

Praise the Lord from the heavens,
praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all his angels,
praise him all his host.

Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, shining stars.
Praise him, highest heavens
and the waters above the heavens.

Let them praise the name of the Lord.

It's interesting that the Latin name for Morning Prayer is fittingly called "Lauds" so when one visits a monastery like Gethsemani, they'll hear it referred to by the Latin name.  I like that as it's a reminder to give the Lord praise. 

What a good way to start the day!

The Abbey of Gethsemani - New Photos

 A picture I recently took at Gethsemani.  It's a beautiful time of year at the monastery.  There are a few other photos on my flickr feed.

Epiphany Sunday 2009

Thanks to everyone for their prayers for my grandmother.  I'm happy to report that she is home and recovering nicely.  We couldn't have asked for a better outcome from her surgery!  It was obvious that you stormed the gates of heaven for her.  Thank you.

I spent most of the day at the Abbey of Gethsemani.  It's always good to be there, joining the monks for Mass and our group potluck afterward.  It seems I go there and God often deals with me while I'm at the monastery.  It's not always a pleasant encounter.  It's often filled with pain but ironically, I don't feel alone in the abbey church when pain rises to the surface.  I know many others who are there are partly there because they have pain to deal with.  So, we all sit in the darkness of the abbey church and pray for each other and for ourselves.

I'm back to work on Monday and classes start the same day as well.  Kind of a brutal beginning to the new year.  To be honest, I'm not ready for it. 

I guess that's it for now.  Just wanted to check in and say hello.  Here's today's collect:

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:  Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Keeping Vigil

At this moment, the monks at Gethsemani are keeping vigil. Fr. Chrysogonus’ body has been received into the church and now awaits burial. Unfortunately, many of us who would like to be there in person can’t and so I keep a vigil of my own this afternoon, the best I can. A small breviary called Celebrating Common Prayer has a beautiful service for those who have died. I’ve prayed through that liturgy today, remembering Fr. Chrysogonus. I can only hope my brothers and sisters in Christ may do the same for me one day.

I particularly liked this prayer:

Fr. Chrysogonus, our companion in faith and brother in Christ, we entrust you to God who created you.
May you return to the Most High who formed you from the dust of the earth.
May the angels and the saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life.
May Christ, who was crucified for you, take you into his Kingdom.
May Christ the Good Shepherd give you a place within his flock.
May Christ forgive you your sins and keep you among his people.
May you see your Redeemer face to face and delight in the vision of God for ever.
Amen.

When our friends or family members pass from this life to the next, it’s a reminder to us all that we will one day take that same journey. Yet, I live in great hope that one day we will see our Redeemer face to face and delight in the vision of God forever.

Fr. Chrysogonus Waddell, RIP

The Abbey of Gethsemani has seen the death of another monk.  After spending over fifty years as a monk, Fr. Chrysogonus Waddell passed away this morning while the rest of the community was celebrating Mass.

I'm fortunate to have heard Fr. Chrysogonus play the organ.  What a tremendous gift he had.  I know he will be terribly missed.  The abbey has posted the news of his death.

A prayer:

O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered:  Accept our prayers on behalf of your servant Chrysogonus and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.