Thoughts

Metaphors work very well for me, because they enable me to bring out into the open feelings and thoughts that are not fully shaped, at least not shaped enough to put into words. So why bother, if words aren't ready? Because this is my spiritual journal and what is going on within me has got to be told. First, something to ground me.

Can. 603 §1. In addition to institutes of consecrated life, the Church recognizes the eremitic or anchoritic life by which the Christian faithful devote their life to the praise of God and the salvation of the world through a stricter withdrawal from the world, the silence of solitude, and assiduous prayer and penance.

§2. A hermit is recognized by law as one dedicated to God in consecrated life if he or she publicly professes in the hands of the diocesan bishop the three evangelical counsels, confirmed by vow or other sacred bond, and observes a proper program of living under his direction.

Yesterday at mass one of the Solitaries gave me a folder with a page of Merton quotes and two in-depth papers written by people with impressive resumes. The papers:

The Law of Consecrated Life: Commentary on Canons 573-606, by Jean Beyer, S.J. (Senior Professor of the Canon Law Faculty of the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome)

Hermits: the Juridical Implications of Canon 603, Ms. Helen L. MacDonald. [that is how it's listed on the paper, don't blame me.] Her paper is published in Studia Canonica. I've never heard of it.

I have given emphasis to the papers because, yesterday it dawned on me anew, just how incredibly serious this life really is. It is taken seriously by the Roman Catholic Hierarchy. It is taken seriously by the solitaries themselves. It is taken seriously by the code of canon law. And, according to many hermits, it can be challenging to get a Bishop to accept the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience that go with it. So, it is provided for by law, but not an obligation on the Bishop.

One really glaring thing about the RC is how legalistic everything is. Down to the last detail. Yeah, I know, there's grace in there too, but sheesh, it's tough going sometimes. Still, after reading these two articles, I'm finding a certain depth to the legalistic way of seeing things. In some strange way, it anticipates various needs before they arise. Vast experience can legislate a path through the perilous waters of eremitic life.

Am I fit for the eremitic life? That is hard to say. I pray that I may be made so.