Baptist News Global
Sections
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • Curated
  • Storytelling
    • Faith & Justice >
      • Charleston: Metanoia with Bill Stanfield
      • Charlotte: QC Family Tree with Greg and Helms Jarrell
      • Little Rock: Judge Wendell Griffen
      • North Carolina: Conetoe
    • Welcoming the Stranger >
      • Lost Boys of Sudan: St. John’s Baptist Charlotte
      • Awakening to Immigrant Justice: Myers Park Baptist Church
      • Hospitality on the corner: Gaston Christian Center
    • Signature Ministries >
      • Jake Hall: Gospel Gothic, Music and Radio
    • Singing Our Faith >
      • Hymns for a Lifetime: Ken Wilson and Knollwood Baptist Church
      • Norfolk Street Choir
    • Resilient Rural America >
      • Alabama: Perry County
      • Texas: Hidalgo County
      • Arkansas Delta
      • Southeast Kentucky
  • More
    • Contact
    • About
    • Donate
    • Associated Baptist Press Foundation
    • Planned Giving
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Advertising
    • Ministry Jobs and More
    • Transitions
    • Subscribe
    • Submissions and Permissions
Donate Subscribe
Search Search this site

Two days with the monks: Protestant envy, confusion and gratitude

OpinionBrett Younger  |  January 16, 2020

Benedictine monks pride themselves on hospitality, take vows of silence, and see no tension between these two. On my first morning at the monastery, a construction worker gave me directions to the dining hall and added a strangely sarcastic, “Enjoy!”

At breakfast, guests are expected to stand behind their chairs until the monks have been served. This is difficult to communicate without speaking.

“I do not often kneel when I pray, but it would lead me to a greater sense of humility. I do not keep a crucifix in every room, but it would help me think about God’s suffering. I do not cross myself a dozen times a day, but I need ways to remember God’s presence.”

I took more food than anyone else – a piece of toast, a black banana and a bowl of indistinguishable cereal. Eating at a crowded table without speaking can be creepy. We tend to avoid eye contact when we are not talking, so we stared at our food. I sneezed and felt guilty. No one said, “God bless you.”

I confess that I skipped Matins, the 6 a.m. service, but made it to Mass, Sext, Vespers, and Compline – services that take place when normal people are awake. I found praying the hours confusing. Working out of one worship book would have been helpful. The ribbons were not in the right places in Monastic Antiphonary. I would have gladly paid extra for an order of worship.

Following the monk next to you is not as easy as you might think. They have the order memorized. The passing of the peace was a few unenthusiastic nods. Chanting can get old. I have mixed feelings about kissing the Bible.

I tried not to stick out, but I failed. I still don’t know the Nicene Creed. They changed one of the lines that Protestants knew. “The Lord be with you” “and also with you” is now “and with your Spirit.” They clearly changed this response to confuse Protestants. I mistakenly said the last verse of the Lord’s Prayer – the one every Catholic knows does not belong. During confession I forgot to thump my chest at “through my fault.” If there had been a genuflecting class, I would have flunked. At one point the monk next to me scratched his head, so I scratched mine.

Whenever I cracked the code I was delighted. I learned that at the Gospel reading, monks sign the cross on their forehead, mouth and chest to ask God to be present in their minds, lips and hearts.

I tried to do what the monks did, but I was acting like a monk. They are monks. Since the sixth century Benedictines have promised to “prefer nothing to the love of Christ.” Monks do not care much about how they look, though their black robes are stylish – especially the hoods. I envy the way they sprinkle water as a reminder of our baptisms, swing incense as a call to prayer and wear hats in worship — though maybe not a miter.

“We need to admire those who live with a different understanding of success. I am jealous of their simplicity, though I am not yet ready to get rid of my stuff.”

I do not often kneel when I pray, but it would lead me to a greater sense of humility. I do not keep a crucifix in every room, but it would help me think about God’s suffering. I do not cross myself a dozen times a day, but I need ways to remember God’s presence.

The monks are following Christ and ignoring culture. We need to admire those who live with a different understanding of success. I am jealous of their simplicity, though I am not yet ready to get rid of my stuff.

My last meal with the brothers was lunch, the one time we were allowed to talk. The monks complained about monasteries that don’t take silence seriously enough and allow conversation at two meals a day, “C’mon man, it’s a monastery!” The Benedictines poked fun at other orders, “You know how those Dominicans are.”

A parish priest, who was also a guest, said, “I don’t want to go back to my church. The silence here is so wonderful and my congregation is so noisy.”

Silence is a gift, but so is a noisy congregation. Two days in a monastery is a gift, but so is realizing that you belong somewhere else.


OPINION: Views expressed in Baptist News Global columns and commentaries are solely those of the authors.
Tags:Baptists and CatholicsEcumenismHumorsilence
More by
Brett Younger
  • Get BNG headlines in your inbox

  • Featured

    • Despite financial hardships, Americans upped their giving to congregations during pandemic

      News

    • What The Bear should teach us about the church and genuine acceptance

      Opinion

    • Veterans and faith groups urge Congress to secure the safety of Afghan immigrants

      News

    • The fantastical world of climate change denial: Slouching toward annihilation

      Opinion


    Curated

    • Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signs executive order to protect LGBTQIA+ community from conversion therapy

      Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signs executive order to protect LGBTQIA+ community from conversion therapy

      August 19, 2022
    • Archaeologists uncover inscription to Peter

      Archaeologists uncover inscription to Peter

      August 19, 2022
    • USDA says religious schools will be granted automatic Title IX exemption

      USDA says religious schools will be granted automatic Title IX exemption

      August 19, 2022
    • Attack on Rushdie shows divisions among Lebanese Shiites

      Attack on Rushdie shows divisions among Lebanese Shiites

      August 19, 2022
    Read Next:

    BGCT wants to ‘review and consider changes’ in its relationship to Baylor

    AnalysisMark Wingfield

    More Articles

    • All
    • News
    • Opinion
    • Curated
    • Mohler to speak on the ‘idolatry’ of secularism at conference advocating ‘national conservatism’

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Faith leaders call for urgent opposition to Oklahoma plan to execute an inmate a month for two years

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • This week is the 80th anniversary of the day my great-grandparents died

      OpinionJonathan Feldstein

    • When my dad asked me to preach a revival in his church, I took a crew of encouragers instead

      OpinionEli Withers

    • India at 75: The world’s largest democracy is dying of toxic nationalism

      AnalysisErich Bridges

    • The congregational staffing crisis

      OpinionBill Wilson

    • Progressive National Baptist Convention elects woman to leadership role for first time

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • 50 years later, I’m still embarrassed to admit what a stranger at church taught me about being welcome

      OpinionTerry Austin

    • Is ‘In God We Trust’ an assertion of Christian nationalism or of American history in public schools?

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • What The Bear should teach us about the church and genuine acceptance

      OpinionJustin Cox

    • Despite financial hardships, Americans upped their giving to congregations during pandemic

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • More questions than answers right now regarding DOJ investigation into SBC

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Carver School of Social Work was a victim of American fundamentalism, authors explain

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Looking for hope in a time of abandonment

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • BGCT wants to ‘review and consider changes’ in its relationship to Baylor

      AnalysisMark Wingfield

    • My two phone calls to Frederick Buechner

      OpinionBrett Younger

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Hymn stories: ‘The Church’s One Foundation’

      OpinionBeverly A. Howard

    • Veterans and faith groups urge Congress to secure the safety of Afghan immigrants

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • The fantastical world of climate change denial: Slouching toward annihilation

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • When forced to choose between their ministry and their transgender child, this family chose love

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Remembering a sign for the times: The serpent and the seminary

      OpinionDalen Jackson

    • Frederick Buechner influenced millions with his insightful writing and quotable lines

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • No, Dan Patrick, God did not write the U.S. Constitution

      OpinionRick Pidcock

    • Black religion and reparation questions

      OpinionWendell Griffen

    • Mohler to speak on the ‘idolatry’ of secularism at conference advocating ‘national conservatism’

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Faith leaders call for urgent opposition to Oklahoma plan to execute an inmate a month for two years

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Progressive National Baptist Convention elects woman to leadership role for first time

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Is ‘In God We Trust’ an assertion of Christian nationalism or of American history in public schools?

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Despite financial hardships, Americans upped their giving to congregations during pandemic

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • More questions than answers right now regarding DOJ investigation into SBC

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Carver School of Social Work was a victim of American fundamentalism, authors explain

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Veterans and faith groups urge Congress to secure the safety of Afghan immigrants

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • When forced to choose between their ministry and their transgender child, this family chose love

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Frederick Buechner influenced millions with his insightful writing and quotable lines

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Progressive National Convention joins with AFL-CIO to advance racial and economic justice

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Historic Kentucky church calls gay man as co-pastor

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Department of Justice investigating SBC on sexual abuse

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • ‘Everything is changing at the same time,’ veteran religion reporter explains

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Tony and Lauren Dungy know something about influence, on the field and at home

      NewsMaina Mwaura

    • It’s easier to be a bully today, author explains

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Transitions for the week of 8-12-22

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • SBC president says he tried to enlist more women for sexual abuse task force but got turned down repeatedly

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • At long last, Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy appears to be dead

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Some evangelical leaders see FBI visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago as evidence of the religious persecution coming to them

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • New study finds scammers luring migrants with false information via Facebook and WhatsApp

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Progressive Baptist congregation on Wake Forest campus votes to close

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • South African women’s soccer team success shines a light on gender wage discrimination

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • This week is the 80th anniversary of the day my great-grandparents died

      OpinionJonathan Feldstein

    • When my dad asked me to preach a revival in his church, I took a crew of encouragers instead

      OpinionEli Withers

    • The congregational staffing crisis

      OpinionBill Wilson

    • 50 years later, I’m still embarrassed to admit what a stranger at church taught me about being welcome

      OpinionTerry Austin

    • What The Bear should teach us about the church and genuine acceptance

      OpinionJustin Cox

    • Looking for hope in a time of abandonment

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • My two phone calls to Frederick Buechner

      OpinionBrett Younger

    • Hymn stories: ‘The Church’s One Foundation’

      OpinionBeverly A. Howard

    • The fantastical world of climate change denial: Slouching toward annihilation

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • Remembering a sign for the times: The serpent and the seminary

      OpinionDalen Jackson

    • No, Dan Patrick, God did not write the U.S. Constitution

      OpinionRick Pidcock

    • Black religion and reparation questions

      OpinionWendell Griffen

    • What happened to American conservatism? Engaging Matthew Continetti’s The Right

      OpinionDavid Gushee, Senior Columnist

    • Skepticism holds seeds of hope: The SBC and clergy sex abuse

      OpinionChrista Brown

    • Here’s what I’m learning in therapy

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • Letter to the Editor: I also stand with Brittney Griner and kneel for the Anthem

      OpinionLetters to the Editor

    • A thoughtful question at Bubba-Doo’s

      OpinionCharles Qualls

    • In applauding Victor Orban, U.S. conservatives call their shot

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • Christian nationalism is a danger to our nation

      OpinionMarvin McMickle

    • Advice from a sunflower

      OpinionPhawnda Moore

    • What I learned at Wake Forest Baptist Church

      OpinionDavid Ramsey

    • Why can’t we accept sexual and gender diversity in humans as well as in all creation?

      OpinionDan McGee

    • I’ve been unaware of my privilege, and if you are a man, you probably have, too

      OpinionRobert P. Sellers

    • Are left-wing radicals pushing Cracker Barrel to the edge of the slippery slope?

      OpinionBrett Younger

    • To be more welcoming, let’s remove our flags

      OpinionJustin Pierson

    • Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signs executive order to protect LGBTQIA+ community from conversion therapy

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Archaeologists uncover inscription to Peter

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • USDA says religious schools will be granted automatic Title IX exemption

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Attack on Rushdie shows divisions among Lebanese Shiites

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Report: Nonreligious LGBTQ people face heightened stigma, conceal their beliefs

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Interfaith summit dreams of America as a potluck, not a battlefield

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Empowered by Magic: The Christians and “Nones” Exploring Witchcraft

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Faith-Based Fashion Entrepreneurs Aim To Transform The Way We Purchase Online

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Lag in slavery reparations from US Jesuits irks descendants

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Texas school district orders librarians to remove a version of Anne Frank’s diary from shelves

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Iran denies involvement but justifies Salman Rushdie attack

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Non-affirming views continue to complicate HIV/AIDS response in Black churches

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Sometimes dialogue is not the answer and neutrality is a trap: an interview with the authors of ‘The Neutrality Trap’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • In latest ‘gOD-Talk’ discussion, Black millennials discuss hip-hop and faith

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Colorado to spar over discrimination case in Supreme Court

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Crossing the rubicon? Mar-a-Lago raid enflames right wing fantasies of Christian Caesarism

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • An interfaith discussion on the role of religion in mental health

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Republicans keep mostly mum on calls to make GOP ‘party of Christian nationalism’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • The Faith-Based Politics of El Salvador’s Millennial President

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Reckoning with their history, Lutherans issue declaration to Indigenous peoples

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Religion, Spirituality Second Most Frequently Read Genre in U.S.

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Pope Francis meets transgender guests of Rome church

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Politicians seek to control classroom discussions about slavery in the US

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Despite vastly different values, evangelical ‘Hamilton’ connects secular left and Christian right

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Both Open- and Close-mindedness Increase in U.S.

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    Conversations that Matter.

    © 2022 Baptist News Global. All rights reserved.

    Want to share a story? We hope you will! Read our republishing, terms of use and privacy policies here.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS