I’m “into” the pillars of Benedictine spirituality lately! This Sunday morning — how appropriate for a Sunday — I reflected on “holy leisure” as one of these pillars. Joan Chittister, OSB says this: “Leisure is the Benedictine gift of regular reflection and continual consciousness of the presence of God. It is the gift of contemplation in a world of action. Holy leisure is a necessary respite from a wildly moving world that turns incessantly now on technology that grants neither the space nor the time it takes to think.”
So how do we today develop a culture of Sabbath body, mind, and spirit amidst all the flurry around us?
Today is Epiphany, the feast of “Little Christmas,” though our world largely moved on from the mystery of the Incarnation already on Dec. 26! But as a pastor in Santa Fe reminded us last night, “It is STILL the Christmas season!” How do we as Christians cultivate a mindset that appreciates a more contemplative spirit, holy leisure, amidst the fast pace of our times?
It’s Sunday … I’m hoping all who read these blog posts by our Sisters took some extra time to rest, relax, and reflect today. Perhaps this is a great New Year’s resolution: to cultivate the Sabbath … to find a good book and dig deep this year … to reflect with others on what you read together … to just take time to “be” in the presence of God, growing in God-consciousness.
Before you lay your head to rest tonight, ponder this: how did I grow in mindfulness today? 
One Response
I didn’t read this until this morning, but I had the privilege yesterday of Sabbath time with my family as we celebrated our family Christmas. What a gift it is to be able to relax and catch up with family members, especially those we don’t often have the opportunity to see. Thanks for the reminder of the importance of “taking time.”