Optional Memorial of Saint Bruno, Priest

Brief Background:
St. Bruno (c. 1030–1101) was a German priest, scholar, and teacher who left a successful academic and ecclesiastical life to seek God through silence, solitude, and prayer. He founded the Carthusian Order, known for its deeply contemplative way of life.

St. Bruno is commonly regarded as the patron saint of the Carthusian Order and is especially associated with contemplative prayer, silence, and solitude. 

REFLECTION:

Yesterday, I sat in and listened to a presentation with our middle school students as we launched our Anti Bullying Campaign. During the presentation, our Dean of Students said something that caught my attention. He explained that the activities the students were doing were meant to help them contemplate what they might do when they find themselves in a particular situation.

In other words, before you act, stop. Think. Reflect. Then decide what you are going to do.

I thought, that is not just a lesson about bullying. That is part of the Christian life. We contemplate, and then we act.

In today's Gospel, we meet Martha and Mary. Martha is busy doing things for Jesus. Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening. And Jesus says that Mary has chosen the better part. Jesus is not saying that what Martha is doing is bad. We need Marthas. Things have to get done. The food has to be prepared. The work has to happen. But Jesus reminds us that before there is action, there has to be contemplation. Before I decide what to say, how to respond, how to treat someone, or what action I should take, I first need to sit with Jesus and ask, "Lord, what are you asking of me?"

We see something similar with St. Paul in our first reading. After his conversion, Paul did not immediately run off and start preaching everywhere. He tells us that he went away into Arabia. There was time for prayer, reflection, and allowing God to work within him. Then came the great missionary work.

And that brings us to St. Bruno, whose feast we celebrate today. St. Bruno left behind a very successful life as a scholar and teacher to embrace prayer, silence, and contemplation. He eventually founded the Carthusian Order, whose spirituality emphasizes silence and solitude.

There is a beautiful phrase associated with the Carthusian tradition: "While the world changes, the Cross stands firm."

The world around us moves quickly. People say things. Something happens. Someone upsets us. Someone posts something. Someone hurts us. And our temptation is to react immediately. But the Christian life teaches us something different. Contemplate, then act.

Maybe that is something we can practice today. Before sending the text, contemplate. Before responding when someone makes you angry, contemplate.

Before joining the gossip, contemplate. Before ignoring someone who is being picked on, contemplate. Before making the decision, contemplate.

Sit at the feet of Jesus, even if only for a moment, and ask, "Jesus, what would you have me do?" Because Christian contemplation is never simply sitting around doing nothing. We sit with Jesus so that when it is time to stand up, we know what to do.