It seems that much of the hermit life, in the transitioning, at least, from the world, is like hibernation.
The days and hours and moments pass in a kind of quietude which at first makes one feel guilty at having such leisure. But the leisure is not boredom at all. Layers of skin must be peeled off the soul--layers of worldly accumulations of activity, words, thoughts, and must-do's and must-be's.
A realtor told me, when she saw the hermitage being built and the location, that it reminds her of "Come to the Waters." There is something restful about looking out on Lake Immaculata, of reading a little, praying, thinking, writing, and mostly resting.
For now.
The horrors come off and on in temptations and distresses which always have to do with doubts about being in such a state of hibernation or confusions from the world which necessarily reaches into the hermitage of today. For example, I am having difficulty with the mortgage company doing something quite unjust with the amount billed monthly, above the loan payment. But most horrors come from interior reachings in, which are allowed by the soul to cast doubts and fears. In time, these pass, or so it is written by saint hermits who hibernated with success, for the glory of God and Holy Mother Church.
Another thought: Union with Christ is achieved in suffering that is united with His.
The days and hours and moments pass in a kind of quietude which at first makes one feel guilty at having such leisure. But the leisure is not boredom at all. Layers of skin must be peeled off the soul--layers of worldly accumulations of activity, words, thoughts, and must-do's and must-be's.
A realtor told me, when she saw the hermitage being built and the location, that it reminds her of "Come to the Waters." There is something restful about looking out on Lake Immaculata, of reading a little, praying, thinking, writing, and mostly resting.
For now.
The horrors come off and on in temptations and distresses which always have to do with doubts about being in such a state of hibernation or confusions from the world which necessarily reaches into the hermitage of today. For example, I am having difficulty with the mortgage company doing something quite unjust with the amount billed monthly, above the loan payment. But most horrors come from interior reachings in, which are allowed by the soul to cast doubts and fears. In time, these pass, or so it is written by saint hermits who hibernated with success, for the glory of God and Holy Mother Church.
Another thought: Union with Christ is achieved in suffering that is united with His.
