Comments for Raven's Bread Forum

Comment on Blessed are the Peacemakers… by Marylyn bread | Greatstorepric

Marylyn bread | Greatstorepric — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 20:12:31 +0000

[...] Blessed are the Peacemakers… | Raven’s Bread ForumJun 2, 2011 … May the Lord bless you with a tranquil soul and contented heart! Raven’s Bread. Reply. Marilyn Lawrence (Obl.S.B.) says: … [...]

Comment on Greetings to Solitaries around the World! by Gavin Palmer

Gavin Palmer — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:26:46 +0000

This looks like a nice solution to the problem forums can have of descending into petty squabbling. Best of luck with it. I’ll be watching with interest and maybe even contributing if I ever think of anything worth saying!

Comment on Inviting comments on this reflection on early Quaker Meetings by Aunt Raven

Aunt Raven — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:14:48 +0000

A sure sign of the Holy Spirit is radiantly peaceful silence. Jesus said, “Wherever two or more are gathered in My name, there also am I.” The Quaker tradition of community-in-silence-praising-God appears to be about the only contemplatively- oriented ecclesial community in Protestantism.

The silence of the Quaker meeting communally beseeches and patiently waits guidance of “The inner light” for each individual. This goes a long way to explain why the Society of Friends “Quakers” have, by the power of the Holy Spirit, exerted a moral force in American society all out of proportion to their numbers: from establishing the Underground Railroad to aid runaway slaves prior to the Civil War, to laboring for civil rights in the 60′s, to protest of Viet Nam and other wars; and in the UK, founding the Oxfam charities. As Aquinas noted, the perfection of contemplation overflows into action; “By their works you know them.”

I recall reading that the Quakers produce from their numbers (never great) an astonishing proportion of social workers, teachers, and medical personnel. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” . . . “in silence and [interior] solitude their strength lies”; so it is not surprising that the tree of Quakerism, fed by the waters of contemplation, produces good fruit.

Comment on Blessed are the Peacemakers… by ravensbread

ravensbread — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:38:31 +0000

Marilyn L.
Peace! thank you for your well thought out response on the value of hermit life to our world. Surely that covers promoting peace as we strive to live in harmony with our environment. May the Lord bless you with a tranquil soul and contented heart! Raven’s Bread

Comment on Blessed are the Peacemakers… by Marilyn Lawrence (Obl.S.B.)

Marilyn Lawrence (Obl.S.B.) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 23:27:41 +0000

I think I missed the question with reagrds to PEACE and was more focused on the sentence of “What she or he should stive for is not to avoid the world but rather to minister to it.”
I will add a coment tomorrow. Sorry

Comment on Blessed are the Peacemakers… by Marilyn Lawrence (Obl.S.B.)

Marilyn Lawrence (Obl.S.B.) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:21:00 +0000

Reflection question: How can hermits do this within the parameters of their calling?
Thru our prayers, penance, fasting, alsm giving (giving of ourselves)
My Hermitage, Mary’s Oasis is not only my refuge from the outside world, but it is also where one will always be welcomed to be refreshed by the word of God, nourishing their soul, or maybe refreshed by food and drink, nourishing their body or maybe refreshed by a loving act of hospitality, listening.
I live my life of poverty and silence, of prayer, penance and sacrifice for the world, hoping that the austerity of my life would be an acceptable reparation for the losses and sufferings of the Church and the ills of the world at large.
So into my Hermitage, I bring the whole world with me.
I belong entirely to God in this life of solitude, therefore I am set apart from the world so that I can be part of the world and intercede for its needs.
I am called first to recognize God’s desire, and conditions for extending His Reconciliation to all. I thereby, by His Grace, strive with Him to refine in me the desire and willingness to extend His Mercy, to all those in the world, thru prayer and personal sacrifice.
God is most concerned with how I excel in walking with Him, loving Him and loving others. As I turn away from the priorities of the world, and seek to excel in following God, I excel in kindness also.
Daily trials and tribulations – these are blessings in disguise. They can also be powerful prayers. I dare not become angry because of them for they are filled with many graces and blessings and will draw me to a closer union with my Saviour.
It is my ministry to demonstrate through my life’s actions to all persons, that the Light of Christ shines within me, so all may learn and possess it. It is only for God to change people and hearts. My cause is to always act in a way that communicates Christ’s great love and caring for us and through my actions towards people to demonstrate that I look upon them with esteem and great dignity.
The charism of a Hermit is not one of pure solitude. It is a charism of communion
with one another. It is a charism of special love and mutual aid in the attainment of a difficult end.
Pax, Marilyn L.

Comment on Greetings to Solitaries around the World! by DeccaDuraboll

DeccaDuraboll — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:37:34 +0000

I love ravensbreadministries.com , bookmarked for future reference legal steroids

Comment on Greetings to Solitaries around the World! by Marilyn Lawrence (Obl.S.B.)

Marilyn Lawrence (Obl.S.B.) — Tue, 31 May 2011 22:15:12 +0000

I too just received my first issue (May) of Raven’s Bread and love it! I was very intrigued with the August’s discussion topic and am looking forward in making a reply.
I am a 3 yr Benedicitine Oblate living(to the best of my ability) the Rule of St. Benedict and have used it as my guideline and way of living as a Hermit.
My Spiritual Director says “You are very Benedicitine.” What a compliment
I am now in the process of having submitted all of my paperwork to our Diocesan Bishop for acceptance as a Canoical Diocesan Eremite.
Hopefully I will hear soon so I can write my reply for the August Discussion Topic.
Once the Bishop reads my paperwork, it will then be passed on the Diocesan Canoical Lawyer; he will make a visit to my Hermitage; report back to the Bishop and I will then have an interview with the Bishop.
I ask you to please hold me in your prayers as I do you also.
I sorta managed to be Sacristan when the Bishop comes for Confirmation.
God’s blessings and peace be with you all,
Pax,
Marilyn

Comment on Inviting comments on this reflection on early Quaker Meetings by Dandre

Dandre — Thu, 26 May 2011 15:04:46 +0000

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Comment on Inviting comments on this reflection on early Quaker Meetings by Nissim Stephens

Nissim Stephens — Thu, 26 May 2011 10:20:49 +0000

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