So as some of you all may have known I went to the Abbey of Gethsemani last week. Other then being really, really, really hot it was really nice. I spent most of the time praying, reading, and thinking about Catholicism. I figured out a few things one that I probably could be a monk. Two that I could not be Catholic. Mainly because of the issue of the Papacy. I do not see any support for it, in Scripture or in the very early Church.
It was interesting to see that most of the people on the retreat could not stay quite for a few days. Even when there were signs everywhere that said “Quite Please” or “Silence is Spoken Here.” It was alright though some people just cannot really keep quite in their mouth but might be able to in there heart.
I spent a lot of time in my cell, following the advice of the desert fathers. It was nice I got to experience some real silence. I was able to turn off my thoughts/brain for a few moments. It was really nice.
I would like to go back sometime and I think I will I am going to be talking with Bro. Luke to see if I could come there in the winter and stay with them for a little longer and really experience the Monastic life.
I have also started to work on another icon for my friend Justin who is in rehab for the next 20 months from what I hear. I am also going to write a prayer for him. When I get that done I will post it on here and send it to him and some of his friends and ask them to pray it every day for him. Well that is all I have going on now.
Peace
kevinwlester said,
August 24, 2007 @ 1:43 am
That sounds like an amazing experience. If I were you, I would definitely come in the winter as well.