Sister Nancy Gunderson Renews First Monastic Profession

Sister Nancy Gunderson (left) renews her first monastic profession. She signs the profession document in the presence of Sister Nancy Miller, prioress (pictured at her right).

The gospel for today is very fitting for Sister Nancy as she renews her first monastic profession.  Actually, the message of today’s gospel is fitting for all of us as we seek to deepen our commitment to follow Jesus in the monastic life. 

St. Luke tells the story.  He says that after teaching the crowds, Jesus directs Peter to “go out in the deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Peter was skeptical. After all they had fished all night and had caught nothing.  But Peter did as the Lord commanded and caught so many fish that they nearly sunk two boats.

Peter, James and John were simply astonished at the size of the catch. They felt Jesus’ Divine Presence and were in awe of it.  They left everything to follow Jesus even though they didn’t know where he was going or how the journey would affect their lives.

Sister Nancy and all of us have heard Jesus’ call to leave everything – possessions, family, friends, even to give up our own wills to follow Jesus in the monastic way of life.  We don’t know where Jesus is taking us. We don’t know what hills and valleys will be part of our journey.  We do know that when we accepted Jesus’ invitation to walk on this path; we eliminated other paths. Each of our lives could have taken a different turn, but Sister Nancy and all of us said yes to this one - to the monastic way.  Experience and the pioneers of this community have shown us that by being faithful to Benedictine life– prayer, lectio, community, stability, obedience, and service, we will be amazed at the surprises in our lives.

Like Peter was amazed by the large catch of fish when he obeyed Jesus’ command to let down the nets, we too are surprised by what happens when we let down our defenses and open ourselves to listening for and obeying God’s will. We find ourselves in ministry positions or involved in opportunities to spread God’s word and help people in ways that we never dreamed would happen when we entered the monastery. I am sure all of us can relate to this.  God uses our prayers, talents and gifts for the good of others.

But being faithful is not easy. There are challenges to be consistently present at community prayer, to work at something we would rather not do, to go out of our way to be hospitable to a guest, to pitch in and help with tasks around the house or monastery, to enter into a ministry that is unfamiliar.  However, this is what our life is about – being faithful to the ordinariness of daily living, being there for each other without criticism or grumbling, serving the people of God and above all being committed to deepening our search for God.

Sister Nancy, as you renew your commitment to monastic life, may you be blessed with wonderful surprises on the path God has chosen for you.

May all of us prefer nothing to Christ and may He lead us all together to everlasting life.