Radical Self HonestyOne of the primary ways we deepen our relationship with God, and how our humanity grows into the freedom and fullness of life it is called to, is through ‘self-knowledge.’  Perhaps it is even more far-reaching to say that it is through the path of conversion, which is the main thrust of our vow of ‘conversatio’.  In one of my recent chapter talks I noted the desert story of Abba Poeman where it is said that ‘every day he made a new beginning.’  We begin the new

St Bernard on Capax Dei “As I have said, the soul’s greatness is measured by its capacity. What hope of salvation could there be for one who had no capacity for receiving it?” (Sermon #80, Song of Songs, p.149). In these words St. Bernard is giving us a very profound insight into the nature of the human person created by God. Do we realize all that is being said here? The measure of the soul’s greatness is its capacity to receive: to receive salvation, to receive grace, to receive God’s love.

Everyday Abba Poeman Made a New BeginningSince the feast of St. Bernard is very soon, I was reading his sermon #74 On the Song of Songs IV.  As I was reading this sermon I was reminded of a pithy desert story: “It is said of Abba Poeman that every day he made a new beginning.”   I pondered what does this story say about Abba Poeman’s stance towards life, his relation to God?  And perhaps most important: his understanding of who God is and how God comes to him.  Anyway we shall