A quote from Aelred of Rievaulx, 12th Century Cistercian monk and abbot, that illuminates what we all encounter sooner or later, and by which, through grace and our free response, we are led to freedom:
See, dear Lord, how I have wandered the world and (have seen) those things which are in the world….In these I sought rest for my unhappy soul, but everywhere (I found) labor and lament, sorrow and affliction of spirit. You cried out, Lord; you cried out and called. You terrified me and shattered my deafness. You struck, you flogged, you conquered my hardheartedness. You sweetened, you flavored, you banished my bitterness. I heard you calling, but, alas, how late….Cistercian Fathers Series #17, pp. 133-34.
Those who seek will find, even if late, and some find their way to a monastery, the place where God best speaks to them, and where they best respond to his invitation.
I highly recommend John R. Sommerfeldt’s book, Aelred of Riveaux: pursuing perfect happiness (Newman Press, 2005), a wonderful reflection and application of Aelred’s vision of love.
One Response to “God calls…”
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January 30th, 2006 at 7:58 am
Great quote from Aelred of Rievaulx.
It seems like Aelred’s quote could parallel today’s world. We are a materialistic culture seeking all sorts of consumer goods to fill our needs — and yet we are not happy. In time, nomatter how hard we try, we find ourselves facing obsticals that we cannot fix despite our best efforts — bird flu, war, political differences, economic woes. We are terrified — but in the midst of all the upheaval — we hear God’s voice crying out to us. So, I suppose, we have a choice — Respond to God’s call and experience God’s love and sweetness — or remain in our own isolated despair and terror.
Thanks for the recommendation for Sommerfeldt’s book. It sounds great!
Jane