October 31, 2006> 9:20 AM
bitter truth > leadership > etc. Jesus, our Pastor, our Shepherd, the example for all Abbots. A challenge to look at and meditate on. It turns the light on, right in my face. A couple of things to go along with that, which have been helping the light blare in my face, have been reading Guigo (I find he's speaking to leaders here quite a bit, perhaps to himself as well) and watching, even in two episodes, The Monsastery (new reality show in which 5 men live in a monastery for 40 days). This series is significant. Watching the Abbot of Christ in The Desert Monastery deal with these guys, what he says, how he interacts with them and the brothers, is convicting for me. I wish I could go live there for 40 days and sit under his wisdom.
Here's another chunk of good stuff from Guigo...
The truth is too bitter and unpleasant for people; and that is not its fault, but theirs, for it is like a bright light to weak eyes. Take care, then, not to make it even more bitter by failing to speak it as you should, out of love.
For it is out of love that a devoted doctor, administering a wholesome but bitter medicine, smears the edge of the cup with honey. In this way, while what is sweet is taken readily, what is wholesome is swallowed in the same easy gulp. Your entire duty is to do good to all.
Now, once again, I should say, he doesn't encourage us not to speak the truth. He isn't saying that we should not correct or guide those in our care. He's talking about how it's done. There can be a loving firmness, which is sometimes needed in some situations. In our present culture, we are told these things are mutually exclusive. I don't think so at all. But yes, smearing "the edge of the cup with honey" - good. A good reminder for me.
Definitely check out Kyle's great post on Vestments - the whats, whys, and connected thoughts about them and their use in the church. Read the comments too - interesting discussions have arisen.
October 31, 2006
> 9:20 AM
Jesus, our Pastor, our Shepherd, the example for all Abbots. A challenge to look at and meditate on. It turns the light on, right in my face. A couple of things to go along with that, which have been helping the light blare in my face, have been reading Guigo (I find he's speaking to leaders here quite a bit, perhaps to himself as well) and watching, even in two episodes, The Monsastery (new reality show in which 5 men live in a monastery for 40 days). This series is significant. Watching the Abbot of Christ in The Desert Monastery deal with these guys, what he says, how he interacts with them and the brothers, is convicting for me. I wish I could go live there for 40 days and sit under his wisdom.
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