Come Holy Spirit!

When the Lord told his disciples to go and teach all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, he conferred on them the power of giving men new life in God.
- St. Irenaeus

This is what we have received. What is our response?

asceticism

Asceticism is not necessarily a denigration of the body, though it has often been misapplied for that purpose. Rather, it is a way of surrendering to reduced circumstances in a manner that enhances the whole person. It is a radical way of knowing exactly who, what and where you are.
- Kathleen Norris

When I first read this quote in Dakota, I thought to myself, "But we don't surrender to circumstances, we surrender to God." But then I realized than surrendering to God means accepting the way in which He is with us - circumstances, reality. If God's presence is mediated through our circumstances, then we must be meant to respond in the same way. God comes to us in reality and we respond by embracing our circumstances and living them with love, always mindful of His Presence.

P.S. I'm only 23 pages into Dakota, but I already feel confident recommending it highly.

Less than 3 months to go until I enter the monastery!