Gospel Reflections for October 6 2019
Feast of St. Bruno
This Sunday we remember St. Bruno, the patron saint of my parish, who died in the year 1101.
You might find helpful something that he developed into a high skill later in his life.
Bruno spent much of his early career in education as the head of a famous school in northern France. Several of his students later went on to become pope!
He was on the fast track to becoming a Bishop, but politely declined that role, and chose instead to lead a life of quiet contemplation.
He founded a religious order of contemplative men and women called the “Carthusians” a name taken from the area in France where they built their residence.
Contemplation is not a word you hear too often …so what is it?
Contemplation happens when you quietly sit by yourself, choose a topic to think about, and focus on it for some time. While that may sound simple, it actually rarely happens today.
For example, what people have some free time, they often quickly check their cell phone, tablet, or laptop for social media. They may watch TV, or read a newspaper or book. All of those activities are fine and provide good information. However, they all provide other people’s ideas and thoughts.
Your attention is no longer guided by yourself, but directed to “click” on this, or “swipe” on that, or “touch” the screen for something else. The TV, newspaper and book also direct your thoughts to focus on their content.
Bruno wanted his followers to be self-directed. He wanted to empower and strengthen his followers with the mental skills to direct their own thoughts and in the way and manner that they chose, and not be distracted by other sources. He was amazingly successful and many young people joined the contemplative Carthusians.
One of Bruno’s students eventually became Pope Urban II, one of the most important popes of his time. Pope Urban asked his former teacher, Bruno, to come to Rome to advise him. The pope needed a person with a strong and focused mind who could think clearly about things. Bruno quietly accepted that role, while still guiding the new Carthusian Religious Order.
His daily practice of contemplation helped him to have a clear focus on what needed to be done, and perhaps is a useful skill for us to learn as well.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
happy feast day, dear Fr. DAve!
Fine thoughts on contemplative prayer. Thank you. Amazing grace for us….Madeleine
Contemplation is a great habit to start!
Thank you Father Dave! Your message reminds me of your book, Don’t Tell Me What To Do! Listening to our inner conscience based on the teachings of Jesus and our Church is a wonderful path to inner peace and eternal life.
Well said!
….I didn’t know a thing about St. Bruno!
I’ve always found contemplation difficult as my mind keeps bouncing off the walls!!
My Lexio Devina group at St. Catherne’s by the Sea is really helpful to stop my meandering mind!
The Rosary is also another form of contemplation as I focus on a person who has needs when
I recite it.
THANKS for this info…VERY meaning full!!
Laus Deo, Patty
You are very welcome!
I read recently that the Carthusians make a liquor called “Chartreuse”. It is a yellow-green color from which the color chartreuse is derived. The monks have their home in the Carthusian Mountains in Southern France. The monks have produced the liquor since 1737.
The order is also called “The Order of St. Bruno.”
I think that the iPhone is the enemy of contemplation, and we must willfully exercise contemplation in order not to become a mimic of information received by the iPhone.
Yes, the name Chartreuse and Carthusian have the same origin. Cell phones are good, but not when one needs to contemplate anything.
Father Dave, many thanks for your timely message. Always a joy to read your weekly comments.
John McCarthy
You are very welcome!
Father Dave ,
Happy Feast Day and to your entire St. Bruno’s family!! May it bring many graces and blessings to everyone.!!
I was glad to learn about his life as a monk and his skills of contemplation. He sounds like a very interesting and very wise man. Very close to Jesus.
Many many blessings to your parishioners.
Jane
Thank you!
Thanks for the insight on St. Bruno. It reminded me to get back to adoration. I had surgery a while back and had to regain strength so my night time with our Lord was put on hold cause I kept falling asleep..
In a way it fit in with the messages from the readings. Be patient and wait, Increase faith and do all commanded. Yes we are told in Gods word what to do and not to do, but I also find that at that quiet time before the Lord He wants to speak to m and instruct me. There are a lot of lessons when I just sit and listen instead of talking all the time.
Well said!
Fr. Dave,
Wow, mentor and advisor to Pope Urban II, initiator of the Holy Crusades, and stalwart in Church courage and wisdom!
Could you recommend a excellent book about St. Bruno?
Thank you for your insights.
You might check out “St. Bruno: A Carthusian” by Andre Rivier. Yes, Bruno was quite an interesting person!