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“GOD GIVES THE LONELY A HOME TO LIVE IN”: Psalm 68:6
Loneliness is a universal human experience. Everyone feels it some of the time. Too many experience it most of the time. Noreena Hertz remarks that the twenty-first century, is the ‘loneliest century’ people throughout the world have ever known. Loneliness is a much different human experience or feeling than aloneness or solitude, which can be a healing balm within a busy world or a busy mind. Loneliness can lead one to accompany one’s inner self toward God, preparing one for a deep relatedness to others or it can lead to a deadly feeling of isolation, devoid of loving or experiencing love. Such a psycho-spiritual malady must be attended to and not avoided. How can loneliness be transformed to a solitude that makes room, becomes a capacity for union with God and the human family? Loneliness can become an invitation for depth relationship with God and the truest part of our self that can progressively make room for others, welcoming others, companioning others toward true belonging, at-home-ness, and promote sacrificial giving and altruistic love. The psalm verse above is an invitation to see the whole of life, even with its most painful realities, as catalysts of hope leading us toward God as our ultimate home while making peace with our imperfect lives in a troubled world. Alone or with others, our God-relatedness must become the sanctuary of the self that develops a capacity to embrace in empathy the universal thirsting for God which can never be fully quenched by anyone less than God.
FR. FRANCIS BENEDICT has been a monk of Valyermo since 1967. He earned a BA in philosophy from Loyola-Marymount University and an MA in Theology from Mt. Angel in Oregon. He was ordained a priest in 1976. He served as the Abbey’s first abbot [1992-2008]. His special areas of ministry include spiritual direction, preaching retreats, and working with 12-step recovery groups and individuals. In addition to many responsibilities at the Abbey, he also serves as the Director of Oblates.
St. Andrew's Abbey Retreat Office
Phone: (661) 944-2178
Email: retreats@valyermo.com
Office hours:
8:30am-5:00pm
(Closed for Mass and lunch 11:45am-1:30pm)
