Making Every Moment Holy

~ I love small, domestic tasks around the house or convent. To attempt to bring order to the chaos helps me bring order and peace to myself. Among many other tasks, I attempt to bring this order and cleanliness about through metal polishing, bread baking, repairing door stops, and organizing the spice shelf.

There is something about these tasks—and the order or the joy they bring to my house and my community—that brings order and joy to my soul. And these ordinary tasks have taken on a new aspect during Lent.

Lent is not about doing many big things or accomplishing enormous tasks or duties. Lent is about entering into life a little more intentionally, putting aside some good things (chocolate or music or shopping online) to focus on even better things, like how to better love God and be of service to my neighbor. Put simply, Lent is about making every moment holy.

This year I wanted to keep Lent simple. I wanted to simply hear the Lord better and to give myself time to be with the Lord in prayer and in the quiet. So, this year I gave up hitting my snooze button, a regular temptation for me!  

Instead of sleeping in those extra minutes, I’ve tried to do some of these small tasks which can build up in a big house full of 30+ Dominican brothers. Maybe it’s putting away some dishes or silverware in the early morning or brewing another pot of coffee for the community. Maybe it’s starting on that loaf of bread that will be ready for dinner or breakfast the next day. Maybe instead of sleeping in, I just sit in my chair for 15 more minutes, soaking in those first quiet moments of the morning. These small moments both for ourselves and out of service to others have reminded me of something important this Lent: that God is always there.

God is there in the baking of bread. God is there in the messy room or home. God is there in the washing of dirty baseball uniforms. God is there in the slow pickup line at school. God is always there, in the small and ordinary events and tasks of our day.

This Lent, let’s all try to remember that as we pray:

Jesus, you showed yourself the servant of all by your manner of life. This day we offer you the ordinary tasks, services, and duties in which we are engaged. We know that you see these small acts, even when no one else does. Help us to find in these tasks your presence, making every moment holy. Help us to order our hearts rightly so that we might render good service to you and to all we meet.  Amen.

Throughout the year, we present an article in the bulletin each week on a variety of topics, written by a member of our Parish staff or ministries on a rotating basis.