Die Schreiben von Schreiber

1. What are the impulses or inspirations that have led me to consider embracing “monastic” values while continuing to live and work “in the world”? I don't think I can cite a single inspiration or a time that I began to feel a draw towards a life of prayer and closeness to God. Rather it has been with me for quite some time now. Maybe it was begun by my father saying a bedtime prayer with me as a young child, but I have long felt an impulse for a life of prayer and drawing near to God. It's only grown stronger with time. It is ironic, because I was raised Lutheran, and Luther had little use for monastics. He famously said in a sermon that the barmaid does more and greater good works, and he would trust her more when she unloads a cart of supplies for her tavern, than if all the Carthusian monks were to kill themselves with all their singing. Luther was not lukewarm on the subject, and so neither are the Lutherans in general. For my desire to lead a quiet, separa...

In Lesson Two in "Steps Toward Oblation," these thought provoking questions are asked. Warning: some of this is deep, and some of this reveals my hypocrisy and wretched sin. I hope we can still be friends!  ;-) 1. Am I ready to let God take control of my life? Are there areas in which I would prefer to hold onto the illusion of self-determination?  Of course not! Wretched man that I am, I fight for control almost every moment. Only with concentration and intent do I ever come close to loosening my death grip of my own so-called "control" of my life. I have to remember that God is with us, that He loves me. The morning prayer of St. Philaret helps me, especially when I pray  "Teach me to treat all that comes to me  throughout the day with peace of soul,  and with the firm conviction that Thy will governs all.  [...]  In unforeseen events, let me not forget  that all are sent by Thee." So I say "yes" anyway. I say "yes" kno...

As you may know, this novitiate year includes a booklet of 12 monthly lessons for me to read and they conclude with a few questions for me to reflect on.  I answer the questions and send them to my mentor. Here is lesson one: 1. How might Benedictine discipline positively influence my life? How might it challenge me? By commitment to prayer, the Scriptures, and learning and living by the Holy Rule, I hope my life will be positively influenced by being placed within this framework that is designed to help me “prefer nothing to Christ.” Being a “family man” in the world, I pray that any advancement God would grant would radiate out from me and enrich the lives of those around me, as Saint Saraphim famously said; “Acquire the Spirit of Peace and a thousand souls around you will be saved.” I hope to acquire that Spirit of Peace that God might use me to encourage others; my family, coworkers, and everyone I meet. How might it challenge me? Three to six hours of football, or se...

As a novice oblate, I was given the Medal of Saint Benedict. The medal was blessed or consecrated with a prayer asking God to remember those who wear the medal with the intent of charity and faith, that He would grant them aid in conducting such charity, including health and strength and forgiveness of sins. The medal is worn the same way and for similar reasons as we Orthodox Christians wear our baptismal crosses. It is a devotional act and a reminder to us that we set our minds on things above.  The medal, like the cross, is not merely a piece of fashion jewelry, and on the other hand, it is not a magical talisman or good-luck-charm. Neither of these are Christian attitudes. A friend asked me "what? No cassock?" after my vows. I held up the medal and said: "this is my cassock." I think that's a pretty good way to think of it.  As with vestments, which are donned and worn with intent, which also signify to others something about the wearer, so the medal i...

Tonight, 2/2/2019, at Vespers for the Synaxis of the Righteous God-receiver Simeon and Holy Prophetess Anna, I made a vow. The vow was to initiate my first year as a Novice Oblate of St. Benedict, administered by and with the blessing of my Priest and spiritual father. What does that mean?  Oblates are lay persons or clergy living and serving Christ in the world, who wish to model their lives on the Rule of Saint Benedict, in affiliation with a monastic community. Oblates are sometimes known as "third-order monastics." At the conclusion of the rite, I became "Brother Arsenios of the Benedictine Fellowship of Saint Laurence." Essentially, I will commit to prayer, "Lectio Divina" or meditative Scripture reading, and to study and live by the Rule of Saint Benedict. During the first year, the Novice year, I will be assigned a mentor and will go through a sort of study program where I will complete a brief lesson each month and answer some question...