God does speak to us through presence, dreams, visions and our thoughts. Further, God will use events and circumstances to speak with us. More often than not, God uses the people placed in our lives to speak to us. God is good, and St. Benedict reminds us on the Awareness of God by looking not in the abstract but in the ordinary events of every day. Stated in the Rule of Benedict (Chapter 19), “We believe that the divine presence is everywhere.

Lately, I have been reflecting on the idea of commitment. The Community of St. Paul’s Monastery witnessed the final oblation of seven Oblates on June 5. The word Oblate has its origins in the word “offering.” The signing of the final oblation document on the altar is similar to that of the commitment that each vowed monastic makes when she places her document on the altar and signs her commitment to the Monastic Way.

In June we observe Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit. After his Resurrection, Jesus appeared to his followers in the Upper Room where they were hiding and afraid. Jesus breathed on them. He had two messages for them: Peace be with you. Receive the Holy Spirit.

Do you find yourself excited when you are unexpectedly gifted a book? When I accepted the Director of Mission Advancement position here at the Monastery I received a copy of John Mark Comer’s The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry from a dear friend. It’s a captivating read and imbued with Benedictine wisdom, values, and spirituality (even if not outrightly stated by the author).