Transcript of Abbot Clement’s Talk on Monday, April 28, 2003

First, I want to thank Brother Gabriel and those who helped him to decorate the chapel so beautifully for all of the ceremonies. Thanks also to Fr. Bede and whose who helped assist in our ceremonies, especially the musicians and the abbey schola that accompanied our celebrations.

Lent is over and we live in the Easter season. Are we more risen? We do not celebrate past events disconnected from the present. We celebrate the mystery that sustains, deepens, and makes us alive. What did you learn this Len in terms of fasting, prayer, and mortification? This is a part of following Jesus as a disciple. Is there anything particular that you can identify that has been a grace for you this year?

What would you pick out for each day of the Tridium? Holy Thursday involves the awareness of the mystery of the Eucharist. Do you realize something of the mystery when you celebrate the Eucharist? Do you come with even greater expectancy of being inundated by the great love that God has for us and the graces we need? What about Good Friday? Where is the cross in your life? This is the place where you meet Jesus/ Do you allow Jesus to enlighten, lead and transform your life? Without the cross there is no discipleship, and there is no transformation.

What about the Easter vigil? Are we really convinced that the work of redemption that Jesus did, i.e., that God did in Jesus through the Spirit, is the most significant reality that God has accomplished and that it is finished, it is in place? There is a definitive openness between God and us, between each of us and all of us, that makes redemption accessible. Everything builds upon the reality of our redemption won by Christ. This past Sunday, and every Sunday, is simply the manifestation of how rich and deep this is. There is a passage in the Book of Revelations, Chapter 22, that says, "The river of life is flowing from the throne of God and from the Lamb." This passage proclaims the truth of what God is doing now that the redemption has definitively started. Of course, redemption continues. We need to reflect on how this is transforming us. Is my hope more alive now than before Lent? Through His love and mercy God has given us a new birth; a birth that draws life from the death and resurrection of Jesus. Objectively, we have reason for hope. But is it something that we touch? Does it touch us? Does it lift us up? Does it give us direction and purpose?

If we are to really grow and face the questions that we have been facing in terms of preparing for the visitation, then this is a crucial question. It is precisely in celebrating the mysteries that we show forth one of the central issues of being Benedictines: praise of God. We know the migh deeds of God not simply by reading scripture, but also by celebrating them and by living them. If we do not live these, we cannot celebrate them.

How am I really cooperating with God’s transforming action in my life? Is my transformation a reflection of the other works of God, for example creation, which is an ongoing reality too? Each spring we see the power of God’s creative presence. What about the spiritual ones? Am I just going through the motions? Am I addressing my issues and improving myself? What do I need to do in terms of forgiveness? After all, Jesus in Sunday’s gospel said, "Peace, be with you." It wasn’t the nice little statement, "Hi guys. What are you up to?" It was the manifestation and the outpouring of peace that was won by his passion, death, and resurrection. They must have felt reconciled to God, reconciled to themselves, and reconciled to each other. They had a sense of peace in communion. Have we been touched by this in any way?

If we really want to prepare for the visitation, we have to focus more on our need for conversion, and on our openness to the power of the Spirit that is in our lives, in the liturgy especially, and when we gather to pray. I ask you to reflect on this so that when we do gather, our efforts will be more concrete and effective regarding our need for conversion and that it becomes fruitful. I ask you to pray for all of us that it may indeed happen.