What a fabulous meditation, so helpful and appropriate on many levels for a time of life when we are pairing down everyday in every way! Thank you for the reminder to live in the now.
Simply: today’s ‘Brother, Give Us a Word’, is precisely the sort of detachment, divesting, decluttering that points us toward obtaining the ground of heart- & soul-longing…thank you.
Many thanks for this beautiful sermon and thoughtful comments. I loved this book and writer. And will revisit this favorite reading on the experiencing joy, presence and contentment in God’s creation and our being.
Br. Curtis, I will never forget the time you addressed a very large gathering at Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston. Someone asked you what was the most important word you might give us. You replied instantly, “Now.” I’ve always treasured that moment! And the word “Now” often comes to mind as I face each day. The only reality is Now! The past is gone. The future uncertain. “Now” is the time!
NOW caught my eye on my first day of vacation and I stopped for this email…in Hebrew of our Lords day there was no PRESENT tense only past and future (consider these conjugations in studying Scripture and living)…the present participle only was used to express the p r e s ence, which is always ‘moving’ along….hence you had…being, going, happening, eating, thinking, etc…moving along!
…on ‘your’ Eucharist words, my wake up thought went to my memorization of Archbishop of Canterbury William Temples’ description of WORSHIP, which I memorized (and pasted on my wall) so when i go into the nave i always center on his listed phenomenal experiences there encountered (but go off when often surprised by the Holy Spirit and an experience of synchronicity)…something of your email as I awoke this A.M. and your NOW…(was expecting to start my sewing)….HA!
….having a great ‘starting’ to my vacation! THX!
I have recently been inspired as I read your daily meditations in “Brother, Give Us a Word” to drill down, read more and listen to the Podcast. Words cannot express how deeply moved I was by last week’s sermon on “Foundaton” and today’s sermon on “Now”. What a great gift you have given me.
Dear Brother Curtis, I have read this sermon with joy and tears and renewed inspiration several times over these past years, and I thank you. It never gets old or loses its impact.
I am so grateful for these daily homilies from all the Brothers. I read them and the Meditations of Father Rohr first thing every morning. They inspire my life and challenge my thinking.
are both doing at the present time? The Brothers of St. John’s monastery are much in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for this sermon which really resonates with me. To live in the present and to be content , no, more than content to be happy with my lot. To live in the ‘here and now’ and not fret about he future.
So amazing and timely a message for me. I am so grateful for your words, Brother Curtis.
belong to a future time, and be happy with what we have in the present. This is especially true for me, as I live such a privileged life. I have found myself, today, longing for what in essence I already have, so I thank you for this timely sermon.
Thank you as always. I too try to live in the space between “Jesus how can I serve you today,” and “Be still and know that I am God.” Ceaseless prayer (which I struggle to do) helps me to live with this distinction peacefully and lovingly.
This is one of my favorite sermons. It is so poignant for this world we live in. Just Being has helped me so much in my life, and I think it is important to spread this word to others.
Your sermon reminded me of a book I read in the 1970’s by Baba Ram Das “Be Here Now”. In this time of year, Advent, as we prepare for the birth of Jesus and his return, it is good to remember to live in the present, in the Here and Now. The commercialization of the present with all the entrapment in consumming, let us not lose sight of the true meaning of Advent and Christmas, in the presence of the Lord in our lives.
Dear Br. Curtis, how significant is your message, which I definitely need today. I find myself too often thinking about the next thing on my agenda, instead of savoring the present moment. This sermon jars me into a new consciousness of the here and now. Thank you!
Thank you Brother.. Your lovely words have reminded me to be so thankful for the now, for the beauty of the day!
How appropriate it is for me to consider the Lama of Crystal Mountain and look at my own arthritic legs (with a newly replaced knee) and see that I am being asked to “stay in my cell and let it teach me everything” as a gift and not a limitation. (Rowan Williams in “Where God Happens” taught me about “staying” in this way.) I laugh at God’s sense of humor in bringing me to this place!
As I am in the second year of retirement and deciding what is next, it is so important to live in the NOW! Life is so finite and changes in a flash. Thanks for this aha moment. So excited about coming to visit you all June 19th! You are such a blessing to all!
We woke to this sermon this morning and listened together with nearly “edge of your seat ” intrigue. It hits us squarely at the center- in so many was and is beautifully crafted and perfectly delivered.
We are coming to see you Brothers tomorrow !!!!
Your sermon reminds me of Baba Ram Das’s book “Be Here Now”. Live in the moment, in the present not in the past or the future. Past is past and cannot be recaptured and the future is unknown.
Particularly helpful at this time of life!
Today’s message has been the most inspiring I have read in a long while and reminds me to be content in all things even though many obstacles in my life would cause me to worry and fret over. I will dwell on it and try to practice the art of being content, in the day. Thank you.
Thank you for this message and for your words on distraction .You and your brothers ate slowly pulling me back towards the Holy One after a long dry period. I too loved the eecummongs – so joyful and so playful .
Curtis, This is exactly what I needed to hear today and didn’t even know it as I frantically sought to fill up my newly retired life. Thank you!
The cummings poem struck me a wonder: I wonder if he ever visited this monastery living in the area.
March 3, 2013 – Brother Curtis: Your words mean so very much this morning.
absolutely wonderful . i needed it badly.
I’ve heard you weave this theme many times, but I’ve never heard it as clearly (or needed is as much) as today. Thank you.
Another fine sermon about NOW – live now.
“Maybe we have the whole day.” Those are your words remembered by mary and myself from long ago. Thanks for Cassain too. Indeed our cell ( or present life ) will teach us everything. I remember asking my Hebrew teaching friend one day what the meaning of the word for word is in the Hebrew. She stunned me by saying that the word for word meant, “that which is happening.” From that I could grasp or be grasped by understanding that NOW, or the events of our lives Now are the points of our instruction. God “says” and all comes to be. No wonder all “religious experience happens in the present – never the past or future.
Very likely you know this last bit about word as you are such a student of words – just thought I’d share and cheer you on in your illuminating ministry, as well as thank you for “re-minding” me about how to begin this day. Again – NOW.
I appreciate your luminous commentary.
How I would love to support the Brothers, as you have fed my soul so many times! You know and speak of the pain of limitations, but as you have shared, there is indeed happiness in contentment. Such contentment and joy invites thanksgiving and I thank you for this most glorious sermon!
What a beautiful, calming way to start this dreary.rainy, grey Sunday. I’ll forget about making mental lists of what needs to be done in the house – vacuuming, ironing – and just enjoy bring alive and able to go to church and start the week with Eucharist. Pray with me, I can hear you from here!
What wonderfully simply and true are your words. I have known the “desolation of success” and how sweet is its taste and how seductively addictive is each ensuing mouthful…never enough….never enough and more and more to fill the hole within the soul.
Thanks be to God that I have the possibility this moment to live within the moment…some moments better than others…but the possibility to do so is what I am so grateful for!
Hi Curtis – super, duper sermon. Way to go….