Don’t Trust the Abbott: Musings from the Monastery, Jerome Kodell OSB, Liturgical Press, 2009.

Jerome Kodell is abbott of Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas. These ‘musings’ are reproduced from some of his newsletters, at the request of his many friends, visitor-retreatants and others… As such this book has a special appeal to those who know Jerome personally, but we in the distant parts of the church/world who’ve never met him can also benefit from his integrity and wisdom and gentle scholarship.

There are spiritual gems throughout this little 94-page book of about 40 short articles (which are probably best read slowly about one-per-day for a month or so). Like:

* ‘Ignorance of the future, one of the saints has said, is the greatest unrecognized blessing of God’

* ‘Abraham, our father in faith, was asked to set out on a perilous journey with no clear destination, but with the promise “I am your shield”. Saint Gregory of Nyassa’s comment: “Abraham left his home without knowing where he was going, a sure sign he was going the right way”‘

* ‘The Sabbath came out of nowhere… learning to observe the Sabbath is a preparation for eternal life with God

For non-Roman Catholics, some of the material here is ‘in-house’ (like the discussion of terms like ‘priest’, ‘brother’ and ‘religious’). But I reckon (as a small-c catholic Baptist) that the little chapter on celibacy is worth the price ($US 11-95) of the whole book. (And note that I’m non-celibate, and actually regard that discipline as dangerous for many people).

Excerpts:

* A survey found that 62% of diocesan priests would marry if the law of mandatory celibacy were relaxed

* The majority of those in the church who’ve made a public commitment to celibacy are not clergy: ‘most of us are “religious” (members of religious orders) and our celibacy has nothing to do with priesthood’

* ‘”In all your years of celibacy, haven’t you met someone you would really like to share your life with, to be married to, some woman who would make your life wonderful?” Yes, I have to admit it, I have; and it’s more than one: I haven’t been keeping track, but by now it must be about four thousand. It isn’t because I don’t like women or marriage that I’m celibate’

* ‘I don’t tell myself that celibacy comes naturally and that I can live any way I please and still remain faithful. My hormones didn’t make vows. I know that I can’t read just anything or watch just anything… I can’t sneak a peek at internet porn and eagerly listen to suggestive jokes and expect to stay spiritually healthy and at peace…’

You might know someone who could benefit from that kind of practical wisdom.

Rowland Croucher

October 2009