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JJ

Forgiveness, Twice a Day

Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict

Jason Jones

"In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome." - Rule of St. Benedict

January 13, 2015

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Years ago I was in a group trying to bring healing in a denominational skirmish. We talked about mutual confession, for everyone to lay down the need to be right and to confess that all played a part in the problem. One man, representing his group, said, “I don’t know what we need to confess. We haven’t done anything wrong.” For him all . . .

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Seinfeld and the Psalms

Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict

Jason Jones

"In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome." - Rule of St. Benedict

January 07, 2015

Silvrback blog imageHere’s a feel-old realization for you: Seinfeld, which started in 1989, is 25 years old. In the 90’s I watched it every Thursday night I was home, and since then I watch the reruns which live on in syndication. I often say, “That reminds me of the Seinfeld episode . . .” If you watched it you know what I’m talking about: the George Costanza . . .

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The Divine Office at Night

Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict

Jason Jones

"In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome." - Rule of St. Benedict

January 06, 2015

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Monks’ days start with prayer. It’s an early start, too. Some begin at 3:30 AM, others as late as 5:30. Benedict suggests, in Chapter 8 of his rule, that they arise in the eighth hour of night for the first gathering of prayer, usually called Vigils. Sometime in the early or not-so-early hours they gather for prayer. I’ve written about . . .

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Quietly Embrace Suffering

Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict

Jason Jones

"In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome." - Rule of St. Benedict

December 30, 2014

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This one is tricky. Suffering is almost never viewed as positive. No one, with a healthy mind, thinks, “I really need a little more suffering in my life.” Benedict, though, in his steps of humility, advises monks to be obedient, even in rough circumstances, and when facing these circumstances have a heart that “quietly embraces . . .

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Christmas Day Traveler

Jason Jones

"In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome." - Rule of St. Benedict

December 24, 2014

On Tuesdays I send a short email newsletter to folks in my church, and it includes a small thought for the day. This is an expanded version of this week's thought:

Silvrback blog imageI am a Christmas day traveler. Since I’ve been in ministry I have led Christmas Eve services, and that means if I want to see my family in Missouri for Christmas I . . .

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Moving Up

Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict

Jason Jones

"In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome." - Rule of St. Benedict

December 17, 2014

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I was a kid in the 70’s and 80’s, and parked in front of the television I watched a bunch of episodes of The Jeffersons. The memories are weaker now, but I remember George Jefferson owned a successful chain of dry cleaning businesses, and he and his wife, Louise, were doing well enough that they bought an apartment in a high-rise . . .

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Light on an Advent Retreat

Jason Jones

"In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome." - Rule of St. Benedict

December 13, 2014

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Walking through the dark, frozen air of an early December morning in Michigan I think, “I’m probably the only person in the world who has this as the idea of a fun weekend.” The monks I am visiting at St. Gregory’s Abbey begin their first time of prayer at 4 AM. Most who know me know if it was at midnight I would be yawning and begging . . .

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