I’m Not Alone

 A monastic brother was restless in the community and often moved to anger. So he said: “I will go and live somewhere by myself. And since I shall be able to talk or listen to no one, I shall be tranquil, and my passionate anger will cease.” He went out and lived alone in a cave. But one day he filled his jug with water and put it on the ground. It happened suddenly to fall over. He filled it again, and again it fell. And this happened a third time. And in a rage he snatched up the jug and broke it. Returning to his right mind, he knew that the demon of anger had mocked him, and he said: “Here am I by myself, and he has beaten me. I will return to the community. Wherever you live, you need effort and patience and above all God’s help.” And he rose up, and went back to the monastery. 

Have you experienced a cycle, a season, like this?

I have. Similar frustrations have raised their ugly heads more times than I care to count.

May the God of grace continue to bless us and lead us through our journey and struggles; may we be strengthened by the Comforter, Amen