The Monastic Bell

I have books on my shelves that I have found, but never read.  Sometimes it is true that a book must find us before we are ready to receive its words.  Such a book came to me as a gift a few days ago.  The book is entitled, "Domestic Monastery," by Ronald Rolheiser and is centered in monastic life.  One of the disciplines of the monastery is living according to the ringing of the monastery bell.  Whenever the monastic bell rings, the monks are to lay aside immediately whatever it is they are about and move as the bell summons them to go.  If in the midst of deep meditation, they are to stop and go the activity to which the bell summons them.    

The author then takes a huge leap into the world outside the monastery to the world where mothers raise children.  A mother is always forsaking her own needs, sacrificing her own time, performing one unselfish act after another, and moving to the next task as the need summons her.  As surely as the bell calls the monk to God's unfolding agenda, so does the next need call the mother to God's unfolding agenda.  

It was at this point that the book really grabbed hold in an unexpected way.  It took me back to a time of intense care giving when it seemed that any extended devotional time was impossible.  It was a season of caring and meeting whatever need presented itself at the moment.  As I read the book it was as if the Spirit was reminding me that the summons of the next need, such as the ringing of the monastic bell, called me to step forward into God's unfolding agenda.  It is good when our life is filled with seasons enabling prayerful solitude; but, it is also right to live according to the way His plan is calling us to live even it means there is no time to sit quietly in His presence.  There is no need for guilt in the midst of such moments for it is the season God has given.