Feb. 10 - Memorial of St. Scholastica

Spiritual Conversation

Holiness runs in the family. St. Scholastica's twin brother Benedict also made a good name for himself in Catholic circles, writing a rule of life used by monasteries for centuries. One of the stories attached to this dynamic duo involves their periodic spiritual conversations. Benedict would travel from his monastery to that of his sister in order to spend the day in worship of God and holy conversation. St. Scholastica so enjoyed one of their conversations that she prayed God to prohibit her brother from leaving. At once a furious storm arose, prompting Benedict to remain with his sister and carry on their discussion through the night. Could it be that a modern day Scholastica and Benedict live somewhere in the mid-Atlantic states right now? If so, they better be having a great spiritual conversation or else a few million residents will not be happy about the storm they brewed up.

The story of Scholastica and Benedict is entertaining, but it reminds us of the serious importance of spiritual conversation in our lives. Christians believe that the unknown God has come to us in His Word, Jesus Christ. Since we have been given the Word of God, we can therefore talk about God and share God with each other. When St. Ignatius was gathering his first disciples, the ones who would make up the first group of Jesuits, he did so through spiritual conversation. They would talk about their hopes and desires, and share with each other the joys they had found in following Christ. Through hearing other people's experience of God, these early companions were encouraged in their own spiritual lives. With whom can we talk simply and honestly about God? What friendships do we have or what groups encourage our efforts to have spiritual conversation? God has given us His Word. He wants us to talk about Him.


By Deacon Kevin Dyer, S.J.