One of the women I am in awe of and most admire.
Sister Joan Chittister is one of the most influential religious and social leaders of our time. For 40 years she has passionately advocated on behalf of peace, human rights, women’s issues, and church renewal. A much sought-after speaker, counselor and clear voice that bridges across all religions, she is also a best-selling author of more than 50 books, hundreds of articles, an online column for the National Catholic Reporter, and a blog for the the Huffington Post. She has received numerous writing awards and honors for her work, and is a noted international lecturer as well as a former fellow at St. Edmund’s College, Cambridge University, England. I admire her so very much. Joan Chittister is a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, PA. She wrote The Story of Ruth Twelve Moments in Every Woman’s Life that I have been using as my devotional. She also has stated an opinion on prolife that is exactly how I feel “I do not believe that just because you’re opposed to abortion that that makes you pro-life. In fact, I think in many cases, your morality is deeply lacking if all you want is a child born but not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed. And why would I think that you don’t? Because you don’t want any tax money to go there. That’s not pro-life. That’s pro-birth. We need a much broader conversation on what the morality of pro-life is.” Back to the book: It is excellent and the best companion to the book of Ruth I’ve ever read. Hugely empowering. The whole point of the Monastery of the Heart is service of others and that includes good work, co-creation with God, loving care, responsibility, and hospitality. Of the last form of service, Chittister writes that this community must have “stretchable, permeable, illimitable boundaries made up of anyone who happens to come into it at any time, and always saying, ‘We are here for you.’ “
Such a beautiful little book I borrowed from the library and now must own… Everyday spirituality is a hallmark of the Rule of Benedict where nothing is too little or inconsequential. It is characterized by “God-with-us everywhere at every moment.” With a listening and stable heart, we make our way one day at a time attuned to the Spirit.
Chittister hits high stride in the final section of the book, “Our Spiritual Growth,” where she elucidates humility as a 12-step process leading to the “perfect love” of God which “casts out fear.” Other vehicles pointing toward spiritual maturity are sacred art, good zeal, and justice as the way to peace. In the poetic epilogue, Chittister salutes the ways in which the Monastery of the Heart calls us to the more of life (peace, humility, serenity, study, prayer and openness) while also tutoring us in how less is more:
how less competition means more peace,
less jealousy means more contentment,
less need for things means more satisfaction,
less self-centeredness means more happiness,
and less corrosive personal ambition
leaves more room
for the loving presence of God.
I have been following Joan for years, but recently without a church I have been longing for more of her words and insight. I find her belief system so very close to mine that it is a huge comfort to me. A balm. I will be looking up more of her works and more books on St. Benedict and Benedictine Monks. It is life giving peace for my soul.
