Since I've been here, people have been giving me all sorts of gifts. I'm not talking about their time, companionship, or insights. I'm talking about real stuff.
The first gift I received was a white rosary from the Oakland firefighter. As we were walking from the chapel to the dining room for breakfast on the first morning, he turned to me and asked me about the Rosary. I replied that I wasn't too faithful to the practice, but had prayed it for 9 days before coming here and planned to pray it everyday while I am here in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the official name of this abbey. He said, "Wonderful! I'd like to give you one I purchased for this very occasion." Off he went, returning with this first special gift.
Next a woman from Montana asked me if I would like to read some prophetic writings she has received in the past few weeks. Again I agreed, and she has been talking with me about them and giving me more as I eagerly read through them.
Yesterday a woman from Texas asked me to join her for a walk along the river. We talked about our families and enjoyed the evening together. This morning she found me in the chapel and gave me a thoughtful card and an 'early graduation gift' to pass along to my daughter when I return home. Later this afternoon we were discussing the Benedictine Rule of Life and she bought me a book from the abbey store that she had found helpful on interpreting the Rule of Life in the 21st Century.
On each of these occasions I was truly surprised and deeply moved by the spirit of generosity in these wonderful people whom I had just met. They were interested in me as a person and made me feel special by reaching out to me in these ways. I wonder when the last time is that I reached out and did something like that for someone else.
At the gift shop today, I picked out some St. Benedict medals to have blessed by one of the Benedictine priests.
"How many should I buy?" I asked my new friend from Texas.
"As many as the Holy Spirit leads you to buy. And then keep them with you. You'll know who to give them to!"
- Posted from my iPad
How nice it is that people are reaching out to you! I'm sure it makes you feel good. We get so used to giving gifts only on special occasions. It a special treat to get/give one for no reason at all.
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