Even though Saint Paul lists dire circumstances such as anguish, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, the sword and indeed death itself, as being unable to separate us from the love of Christ, we know all too well that trivial and superficial things can and do separate us from experiencing Christ’s love and presence. These things include that multitude of our inordinate attachments which are, in turn, bound up with rapidly vacillating feelings and moods that continually distract and deprive us of the awareness of the Christ who dwells within us. Monastic life is, ideally, intended to help sever these disordered and enslaving attachments and thereby liberate us from the tyranny of self-will by which we fearfully resist that trusting surrender to the one who yearns to gather us together as a hen gathers her brood under her protecting wings. God waits patiently for us to let him gather us and draw us into his loving and protecting heart. Through the Eucharist we are about to receive, may we cease abusing God’s patience, and trustingly yield our hearts to the One in whom they will finally come to that eternal rest and unshakeable peace.