Nearly 950 years ago, St. Bruno, whom we honor today,
founded the Carthusians. The Carthusian way of life combines the prayerful
solitude of the hermetical life with the mutual support of communal
monasticism. Carthusians withdraw from the world in order to seek the face of
Christ in intense prayer, fasting, and cultivation of virtue.
The Carthusians have the distinction of have a rule of life
that has gone virtually unchanged for those 950 years. While the cultures of
the world have changed, their strict way of life has not. And this is very much
in keeping with the motto set by St. Bruno: Stat crux dum volvitur orbis. “While the world changes, the cross stands
firm.” The ways of the world, its values, ideals and priorities, are constantly
in flux, but the cross remains the way to salvation and the road to perfection.
That road is meant for every one of us. Jesus calls every
disciple to take up his cross and follow him. Through the cross, we learn to
surrender whatever keeps us from loving God with our whole heart.
St. Paul expresses that surrender in our first reading: “I
consider everything as loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus
my Lord.” Paul had discovered that knowing Christ was worth more than
everything he once prized. He desired to share Christ’s sufferings and become
conformed to his death, trusting that this road leads to resurrection.
We entered that same mystery at baptism. The Christian life
unfolds as we allow Christ to put our sins to death and bring his love to
maturity within us.
For St. Bruno, this meant leaving behind worldly honors and
comforts for a life of intense prayer and penance. For us, it means what? Examining
what we cling to and asking whether those attachments draw us toward God or
away from him. Learning to trust God that we are called, like Christ, to give
of ourselves—there is no greater love than he who lays down his life for
another.
The cross is the road of perfection. Now, St. Paul admits at
the time of writing to the Philippians that he had not attained perfect
Christian maturity, he was still a work in progress, but he says, “I continue
my pursuit in hope that I may possess it”. Again, St. Bruno sought Christian
maturity in the walls of the monastery.
All of us struggle with sin and vice, but we must not give
up hope of possessing Christian maturity. But Christian maturity involves
intentionality and discipline. Overcoming vice, practicing self-sacrifice are
not easy. But the cross is the road to life. Each of us are called to seek
union with Christ as best as we can in whatever our vocation or circumstances,
following where God leads us.
Through St. Bruno’s intercession, may we follow the
crucified Lord with undivided hearts, trusting that everything surrendered for
his sake opens us more fully to his life, for the glory of God and the
salvation of souls.
That the contemplative religious orders of the Church may inspire all
Christians to seek God in moments of prayer, silence, and solitude.
That world
leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and seek the peace and
justice that only he can bring.
That our
young people may take seriously the call of Christ to turn away from the evils
of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.
That those
whose lives are marked by suffering may come to know the healing and peace of
Christ.
For the
bishop and priests gathering for the Priest Convocation this week: that their
time together in prayer, work, and fraternity may bear good fruit for the
mission of the Church in our Diocese.
For the
deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls
in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought
and died for our freedom.
O God, you
know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear
the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who
believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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