Reading Aloud

Lectio Divina

Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

Library

For communal recreation in the evening, a couple of the novice brothers are joining me in reading a work of biblical fiction:

Henderson, Lois, and Smith, Harold Ivan. Priscilla and Aquila: A Novel. Carmel, N.Y.: Guideposts, 1985.

Once upon a time, before film, radio, television, and the Internet, people used to entertain themselves by reading to each other the popular literature of the day and reciting poetry and verse. People would pay well to hear actors perform the classics, and authors, too, would get in on the act -- indeed, many a writer supplemented their publishing royalties with money earned from speaking tours. Reading aloud to one another is a dormant art. I am attempting to revive it among the novice brothers. So far, three of us have read two chapters of Priscilla and Aquila together, and we're hooked!

Log

This morning: continuing lessons on the liturgy, with the focus remaining on the Liturgy of the Hours.

This afternoon: a lunchtime presentation on the option of ministry at Old Mission Santa Ines by the Capuchin priest brother who is pastor there. This presentation concludes our discernment of the ministry options; now we will express our ministry preferences in writing to the formators. This is due tomorrow. The formators will then select a ministry for each novice. We will be informed of their decision on Friday.

After lunch, spiritual direction at Old Mission Santa Barbara. If there is time when I return to San Lorenzo this afternoon, I will return to work on The Caperone.

Weather

Clear and calm after unexpected storms the previous day.