waiting for Christ
living in silence
and solitude
praying | meditating | contemplating
Just as when you get your first job or when you become a parent for the first time: new responsibilities come with new, and usually higher, expectations. The same happens when you become a priest, monk, nun, or hermit. And we all know that those higher expectations sometimes prove to be too difficult to meet. Because we all do our best, but sometimes we fail nonetheless. All we can do is get up, and try again. Slowly but surely becoming better at what we do.
However: for Christians - and even more so for cardinals, bishops, priests, monks, nuns, hermits, and even for so-called fools for Christ - it's especially important to be open and accountable about their behaviour in general, and about their failures in particular. Why? Because our behaviour is intrinsically and intricately part of who we are, of what we believe, and of the example we are called to live.
"However: for Christians - and even more so for cardinals, bishops, priests, monks, nuns, hermits, and so-called fools for Christ - it's especially important to be open and accountable about their behaviour in general, and about their failures in particular. Why? because our behaviour is intrinsically and intricately part of who we are, of what we believe, and of the example we are called to live"
The pope Gregorius the First (540 - 604 AD) phrased this best when he pointed out that if someone’s way of life is despised, his or her faith will be too. Unfortunately, that is a lesson that needs to be learned and relearned again and again, both in every generation and in every individual life. My life is certainly no exception to that rule, and perhaps neither is your life.
Therefore I will always appreciate to receive your feedback and critique. Especially - in the spirit of psalm 141:5 - when it is critical or even downright negative. For your honest feedback will help me become a better person, it will help me grow as a Christian, and it will enable me to apologise and make amends to you whenever you may have felt offended because of me.
May God (+) remain close to us.
Your brother-in-Christ,
bartholomew.
In keeping with God’s (+) command and in line with the tradition of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, all my religious help is given away for free. This means that I’d prefer not to receive any financial nor material donations, lest this should later be cause for giving or taking offence. For instance people thinking, saying, or feeling: "We have supported bartholomew, and look now how he is spending our gratitude”.
Instead, you will help me most:
- by giving your prayerful thanks to God (+)
- by being kind to others too in your words, attitude, and actions
- and by including me in your prayers, by asking our Heavenly Father (+) that my life may finally become fruitful in His (+) eyes