I am writing this at Glasshampton Monastery at the end of my three-day retreat. Here deep in the Worcestershire countryside six Franciscans live together in a converted stable block, following a simple rule of prayer and manual work inspired by the life of Francis of Assisi. Like most religious communities, there are fewer monks than there used to be, but more visitors. Unusually for me, I came here without a list of things I wanted to do, but simply with a desire to spend time with the Franciscan friars in prayer and to reflect on God’s call on my life as I move on to a new post.
The friars meet five times a day for corporate prayer (which I expected) but also spend one and a half hours each day in silent and motionless contemplative prayer, which has been a big challenge for someone like me! I don’t find contemplation very easy as a form of prayer, so I asked the guardian (abbot) of the monastery for advice. I suppose I wanted to hear God in the silence, but Benedict helped me to see that contemplative prayer is not about hearing God, so much as being with God for his own sake – giving our time to him as a friend, without feeling we have to do all the talking. A gentle repetition of the Jesus prayer of the Orthodox Church has helped me to keep concentration and focus during these times – Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
My time with the friars has helped me to see contemplative prayer as a chance to offer something to God, rather than seeking to receive something from him. As such, it is refreshing and counter-cultural, in a world driven by the need for results. I am now pondering how I can build some regular element of contemplation into the busy life of a parish priest.
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