Buon Giornno  (Did I spell that correctly?) from the Benedictine Oblate World Congress!

I have discovered that I am multi-lingual: I can say “Howdy” in six languages!

There is so much to tell! But, alas, there are only two computers for 250 delegates. I will try to give the fuller picture to those who care to read it when I return home.

For now, three themes have emerged in this week of intense and often very deep conversation among the delegates here. (Every continent is represented except Antarctica, which is probably evidence that penguins are not Benedictine oblates.)

More serously: WE ARE MONASTICS. Continue Reading

What a surprise as I walked toward the retreat house at 6:30 for the 7:00 Muslim /Christian Women’s Dialogue and saw crowds already entering the front door…People were greeting each other as they closed their car door, hugging & giving their “SO good to see you again smiles.” Continue Reading

I am on sabbatical this year.  One of my goals is to finish a book (and the proposal for it should be in the mail to a publisher within a week).  Another goal is more elusive and ecclesial.  It involves making space and time to be present to the abiding questions I have about how to invest time in a local church, and how much also to connect more regionally as a theologian available for assistance in Lutheran congregations. Continue Reading

Abbott Jerome Kodell sent these descriptions of his upcoming talks:

Benedict’s Strategy for Freedom: Freedom is a word with many meanings.  Because it is often associated with the absence of restrictions, represented by words like independence or license, it is the source of much confusion on the spiritual path. Continue Reading