Calvary Episcopal Church
Memphis, Tennessee
THE CHRONICLE
The Second Sunday of Easter
April 30, 2000
Volume 45, No.18

Be Still and Know that I AM
When Arsenius, the Roman educator who exchanged his status and wealth for the solitude of the Egyptian desert, prayed, "Lord, lead me into the way of salvation," he heard a voice saying, "Be silent." This exchange is found in Henri Nouwen's wonderful little treasure, The Way of the Heart.
In this book, Nouwen calls us to reflect on the importance of solitude, silence and prayer. Nouwen focuses on the life, work and ministry of the desert fathers. The desert fathers committed themselves to God's service by retreating from commercial secular life and going into solitude--the desert.

When we read of the desert fathers and mothers, we become perplexed because we find little in common with these folks. Is it really fashionable in this new millennium to discuss the idea of becoming a hermit? Many schools and universities just aren't interested in offering courses in "hermit ology"–the study of "desert living and spirituality." Yet, if we connect with God in a real sense, to have a renewed encounter with the Living God, then we must brush up on what it means to be a spiritual hermit, and like Arsenius, give up our faith in material goods, in order to seek God in those "desert" places where few would ever venture. So, we must become desert mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, friends and strangers to one another. For to become such is to ask God to lead us into the way that ultimately leads to salvation.

May God richly bless you this Easter season and give you peace.
~Allen F. Robinson+